Suicides, Homicides, and Fatal Accidents (IN: Alcohol, Other Drugs, and Violent Death, by P W Haberman and M M Baden)

This chapter examines the relation between problem drinking & violent causes of death in America. A description of the medical examiner’s criteria for determining manner of death is included. The author asserts that it has been observed that approximately 50% of all violent deaths are associated with alcohol use. It is noted that in one study presented that 29% of the people who died by suicide were alcoholics, narcotics abusers, or both. (28 refs) (SC)