ALCOHOL VIOLENCE AND CRIME

"In both animal and human studies, alcohol, more than any other drug, has been linked with a high incidence of violence and aggression."

Seventh Special Report to the U.S. Congress on Alcohol and Health

(Secretary of Health and Human Services, January 1990)

Crime is inextricably related to alcohol and other drugs (AOD). More than 1.1 million annual arrests for illicit drug violations, almost 1.4 million arrests for driving while intoxicated, 480,000 arrests for liquor law violations and 704,000 arrests for drunkenness come to a total of 4.3 million arrests in for alcohol and other drug statutory crimes. That total accounts for over one-third of all arrests in this country.

The impaired judgment and violence induced by alcohol contribute to alcohol-related crime. Rapes, fights, and assaults leading to injury, manslaughter, and homicide often are linked with alcohol because the perpetrator, the victim, or both, were drinking.

The need for preventing alcohol and other drug problems is clear when the following statistics are examined:

• Alcohol is a key factor in up to 68 % of manslaughters, 62% of assaults, 54% of murders/attempted murders, 48% of robberies, and 44% of burglaries.
• Among jail inmates, 42.2% of those convicted of rape reported being under the influence of alcohol or alcohol and other drugs at the time of the offense.
• Over 60% of men and 50% of women arrested for property crimes (burglary, larceny, robbery) in 1990, who were voluntarily tested, tested positive for illicit drug use.
• In 1987, 64 % of all reported child abuse and neglect cases in New York City were associated with parental AOD abuse.

We cannot put a monetary value on human lives and suffering associated with alcohol and other drug problems. But we know the child welfare and court costs needed to deal with the consequences of these problems are substantial.

The prevention of alcohol abuse and underage drinking also works to reduce the problems associated with substance abuse. Be encouraged by the fact that our fight against underage drinking will result in a safer community with fewer incidences of violence and crime.