Alcohol and Crime

Overview

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines ethyl alcohol, or ethanol, as an intoxicating ingredient found in beer, wine, and liquor. Alcohol affects the body in various ways. Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant that is rapidly absorbed from the stomach and small intestine into the bloodstream. Alcohol is metabolized by the liver; however, only a small amount of alcohol can be metabolized at a time, leaving the excess alcohol to circulate throughout the body. The intensity of the effect of alcohol on the body is directly related to the amount consumed. A serving of alcohol is 12 ounces of regular beer or wine cooler, 8 ounces of malt liquor, 5 ounces of wine, and 1.5 ounces of 80 proof distilled spirits or liquor (e.g., gin, rum, vodka, whiskey).

[Page 18]Although the purchase and use of alcohol is legal for individuals 21 years old and above, it is widely abused in the form of binge drinking for both those older and younger than the age limit. Binge drinking is considered five or more drinks during a single occasion for men, and four or more drinks in a single occasion for women. The CDC discusses that excessive alcohol consumption, in the form of binge drinking, leads to increased health problems such as injuries, violence, liver diseases, and cancer. Due to the disinhibiting side effects of alcohol use, criminal behavior is often associated with consumption. Studies have found that binge drinking is more frequent among younger males between ages 18 and 30 who live in highly populated and entertainment-oriented areas. More specifically, areas where there is a greater population and more drinking establishments generally see higher rates of crime. Such areas include urban areas, professional sport arenas, college towns, tourist attractions, and other leisure locations. In addition, national studies suggest that a large percentage of criminal behavior is associated with alcohol use, and even more so with binge drinking.

Violence is also a key feature of frequent heavy drinking. Heavy use is defined as five or more drinks on the same occasion for men and four for women on each of five or more days in the past 30 days. Impaired judgment is often seen as a gateway to deviance and criminal behavior. Studies found that alcohol outlets, particularly bars, tend to attract clientele more likely to be involved in violent acts (e.g., young males). Furthermore, researchers noted that in and around locations of alcohol outlets, interpersonal violence occurred more often. Given the extensive amount of information regarding the connection between alcohol and crime, it is evident that there exists a need to further evaluate evidence and potentially alter public policies to decrease crime rates.

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