Lisle bans sale and purchase of powdered alcohol

Lisle has joined the growing number of municipalities trying to keep powdered alcohol, or palcohol, off the shelves of local establishments

The village board recently passed an ordinance banning the sale of all powdered alcohol.

"It's a scary thing because we're hearing kids are snorting it, sprinkling it on their food and doing all kinds of crazy things with this stuff," Village President Joe Broda said Thursday. "Thankfully we haven't had any issues with this stuff in town, but we want to be ahead of the curve."

Deputy Police Chief Ron Wilke said palcohol is a powdered, freeze-dried version of common alcoholic beverages, including rum, vodka and other spirits. It's commonly sold in single-ounce portions, which create an average sized mixed drink, equaling one shot, when water or a mixer is added to the package.

"If it were to get into the wrong hands, it could be just as hazardous to anyone, especially minors, who isn't supposed to access alcohol," Wilke said. "We've heard that it's being inhaled and mixed in food. We're just trying to prevent a public health issue."

In addition to the ability to inhale the product, officials say they're also concerned about the ability to conceal it as easily as mixing it in a regular sport water bottle.

Sam Patel, of Ogden Convenient Food and Liquor, at 2950 Ogden Ave., said his store has never considered selling palcohol because he's never heard of it.

"And now that we can't sell it, we won't order it," he said. "It's as simple as that."

Employees at several other Lisle liquor stores declined to comment but all said they, too, were unfamiliar with the product.