Palcohol the next drug challenge

#891 for broadcast on 2CH Sydney, 18 May 2014.

Concerns have been expressed that powdered alcohol may soon be coming to a liquor store near you after a U.S. federal alcohol regulatory agency recently approved the product for sale.

Palcohol, a fine white powder, is easily transported in the pocket and can be mixed with water to create instant cocktails or sprinkled on food.  It can also be snorted through the nose like cocaine.

There is a public health risk that customers may either knowingly or unknowingly mix high-strength alcoholic beverages and consume more alcohol than planned.

Is Palcohol the next drug threat to hit Australia?  It remains to be seen whether liquor retailers will seek to register a similar product for sales approval in Australia, but if American trends are any indication it is only a matter of time before we see powdered alcohol in clubs and hotels, at private parties and on our streets.

I’m Rod Benson for the NSW Council of Churches.