Newswise — The Wall Street Journal reports that a new economic study found a shocking correlation between the rise in the number of meth labs in "dry” counties (where alcohol sales are banned), in comparison to locales where liquor is legal.
The study, conducted from 2005 – 10 by University of Louisville economist Jose Fernandez, Stephan Gohmann and Joshua Pinkston, found that Kentucky "dry" counties have two more lab seizures per 100,000 residents each year than do wet counties, suggesting that meth production is more common in areas where alcohol sales are banned.
Alcohol, banned nationwide from 1920 to 1933, did little to reduce the desire and consumption of illegal liquor but did fuel the rise of organized crime and promoted public corruption.
Fernandez, Gohmann and Pinkston presented their findings at the annual meeting of the American Economic Association recently held in Boston. They can be contacted directly or through Matt Lambert at [email protected] or 504-250-6794. Their contact information is below:
Gohmann: [email protected] and 812-987-6365Fernandez: [email protected] and 502-263-9339,Pinkston: [email protected] and 502-409-3765.
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