FORT BENNING, Ga., (July 29, 2015) -- On March 10 the U.S. Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau granted Palcohol, the only powdered-alcohol manufacturer in America to date, approval to sell its product on the U.S. market.

According to the Palcohol website, powdered alcohol is a freeze-dried alcohol that is marketed as a harmless, convenient way to consume a prepared alcoholic beverage. It is easily transported, stored and mixed; only needing five ounces of water to create the product.

The novelty of being able to have a drink anywhere and anytime is both a powerful draw and dangerous indulgence, said Wardell Williams, prevention coordinator for the Fort Benning Army Substance Abuse Program.

Several states have already considered legislation to make powdered alcohol illegal because they are worried about the potential for abuse by young people. The product will also be sold exclusively online, which makes it more accessible to underage drinkers, Williams said.

"The most important thing for people to know is that the product is coming," Williams said. "And to take steps to educate children about the potential harm."

Williams said with the ease of access and transportation of powdered alcohol, children would be able to sneak the substance into almost any event -a school sporting event, a concert, even classes - without drawing too much suspicion to themselves.

"And on a Military installation like this, it would make underage drinking for the under-21 year old Soldiers easier by almost tenfold," Williams said.

While he admits that the concept is interesting for responsible adults, Williams believes that the potential harm and negative effects far outweigh the positive.

"It is my sincere hope that the state of Georgia opts to make powdered alcohol illegal, for the sake of the children in our communities," he said.