Alcohol Facts

Alcohol is one of the oldest addictive drugs in the history of the world, perhaps in use before marijuana or opium. Alcohol use was reported in early Egyptian civilization.

Total alcohol prohibition occurred in the U.S. from 1920 to 1933. As a result, many people made their own alcohol, fermenting grain and mash, and producing a raw form of whiskey sometimes known as moonshine. This law against the manufacture, sale or consumption of alcohol was generally considered a failure after it spawned bootleg manufacturing operations and increased illegal alcohol sales.

In 1935 the North Carolina Legislature authorized the governor to appoint a commission to study the control of alcoholic beverages and make recommendations to the 1937 General Assembly. Following the study, the General Assembly adopted the Alcoholic Beverage Control bill in 1937 that created the ABC Commission. The first ABC permits were issued in 1938.

In 1977, the enforcement arm of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission was separated and placed under the North Carolina Department of Crime Control & Public Safety.

« this page last modified 10/06/05 »