Distilling Democracy

The book explores the historical roots of drug and alcohol education in public schools, tracing its origins to the grassroots movement led by Mary Hanchett Hunt and the Woman's Christian Temperance Union over a century ago. It highlights the conflict between citizen involvement and expert authority in shaping educational content, revealing how Scientific Temperance Instruction became a mandated part of curricula despite opposition. Jonathan Zimmerman examines the broader implications of this struggle for democracy and expertise, shedding light on ongoing tensions in contemporary education regarding public influence and values.