There are approximately 80,000 deaths related to alcohol abuse each year, making it the third leading cause of death in the United States. Every day, more and more people lose their lives to alcohol-related illnesses and incidents. Alcohol is actually a drug that has little or no health benefits. This topic is easy for me to talk about because I believe alcohol should be illegal. Although it would be a long and difficult process to make alcohol illegal, I think the benefits would outweigh the consequences. If alcohol were made illegal, there would be fewer deaths in the United States. Ethyl alcohol, or ethanol, is an intoxicating ingredient found in beer, wine and alcoholic beverages. Alcohol is produced by the fermentation of yeasts, sugars and starches. It is a central nervous system depressant that is rapidly absorbed through the stomach and small intestine into the bloodstream. A standard drink contains 0.6 ounces of pure ethanol. Depending on a person's weight, age and height, two drinks are enough, but you are over the legal limit, which is 0.08% of a person's blood alcohol level. Alcohol affects every organ in the drinker's body and can also have many long-term effects. Excessive alcohol consumption over a short period of time can lead to alcohol poisoning which can often lead to the death or loss of brain cells. Poisoning can impair brain function and motor skills. Excessive alcohol consumption may increase the risk of certain cancers, strokes and liver diseases. In 2009, liver cirrhosis was the 12th leading cause of death in the United States, with a total of 31,522 deaths. Among all deaths from cirrhosis in 2009, 48 percent were alcohol-related. Also in 2009, alcohol-related liver disease was the leading cause for almost a year...... middle of paper ......we drink to the point of addiction are more likely to do so when they grow up. In one study, 72% of women and 27% of men with alcoholic tendencies reported growing up with people who were alcoholics. Alcohol is a drug that poses a danger to everyone who uses it or does not use it. If alcohol were made illegal, it would remove all of these harmful effects on society. Alcohol does not benefit society or the people who choose to consume it. The harmful consequences of alcohol could be reduced or even eliminated if alcohol were made illegal. Making alcohol illegal would be difficult and time-consuming. It would also require strict regulations and enforcement. The result of illegalizing alcohol would be reduced deaths, reduced health problems, and an overall better image of America and its people..