Native Americans
Most Native Americans had no contact with alcohol until it was
introduced to them by the early European explorers and fur traders.
Jewellery and animal skins were traded by the Native Americans for
alcohol.
The Native Americans called alcohol 'fire water',
because when they drank it, it burned their throat and burned the
lining of their stomach.
Many became unwell or addicted to alcohol. Some even died
because of their alcohol misuse. Many traders were able to take
advantage of their drunkenness and addiction by stealing their
land, food, animals and furs.
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