Alcohol and youthful rites of passage

There is overwhelming evidence of a link between alcohol consumption and violent behaviour. Although not fully understood, it is widely accepted that levels of alcohol consumption and violence are higher among younger than older persons, and particularly so among young males. In 1999, the Australian Institute of Criminology hosted a Roundtable on the theme of Alcohol, Young Persons and Violence. Its purpose was to highlight new empirical data, to explore innovative interventions and to inform the development of a National Alcohol Strategy. This publication gathers together nine papers from that Roundtable as well as others related to the subject of alcohol, young persons and violence. These papers do not attempt to provide a comprehensive description of the extent and nature of the 'problem', nor do they offer a prescriptive policy solution. They do, however, provide examples of recent research and policy opportunities in the area and offer evidence which will contribute to the development of the National Alcohol Strategy.