[dpflan]

Alcohol has an extremely long history in humanity; synthesized chemicals less so (comparatively speaking). The alcohol industry is ingrained and well established and clearly wants to keep its influence and profits. Prohibition in the US in the early 20th century was a bust. The sad thing is the familiarity with alcohol and its established position as legal vice give it sway and acceptance, when in reality, it is a disastrous and destructive chemical for which there are many safer non-depressive substitutes.