NCJ Number
86655
Date Published
1981
Length
6 pages
Annotation
An analysis of data on alcohol consumption and the role of alcohol in crime in Australia concludes that alcohol causes a significant amount of the crime associated with violence and physical harm.
Abstract
Studies in Victoria and New South Wales show that most adolescents aged 16-17 use alcohol and that many either drink on most days or get drunk more than once a month. Data from one legal office over the past 20 years showed that alcohol was seldom or never involved in several types of offenses, including drug offenses, forgery, and extortion. Property offenses such as breaking and entering involved alcohol use one-third of the time. Bank robberies did not involve alcohol, but robberies of persons on the street often were associated with alcohol. Alcohol use was also associated with about half of offenses involving deprivation of liberty, such as holding a woman for a purpose associated with sexual violence. Alcohol use was often associated with the crimes of willful murder, murder, and manslaughter. Slightly over two-thirds of the cases involving an assault causing other physical harm were associated with alcohol. Alcohol use accompanied about half of the offenses involving injuries caused in motor vehicle accidents. Reports from other sources have also noted an association between alcohol and crime. The Probation and Parole Service in Western Australia is considering a plan similar to an American experiment, in which persons convicted for drunk driving receive suspended sentences or placement on probation and attend five weekly meetings designed to show the serious results of automobile accidents caused by drinking. Such group programs can involve more offenders than those treating individuals. One footnote is provided.