An examination of the medical examiner’s files in Erie County, New York for 1973-83 was conducted with respect to cause of death, age of victim & presence of blood alcohol at the time of death. In 48.6% of traffic accidents, the victim had been drinking compared with 35.4% of suicide victims. The age cohort with the highest percentage of victims drinking prior to their suicide was 25-34. Data indicated that alcohol was involved to a considerable extent in all major categories of violent death.