Suicide and homicide are among the five leading causes of death in early to middle adulthood, together accounting for nearly 11% of years of potential life lost prior to age 65 (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, 1999–2007). In the U.S., deaths by both causes are associated with alcohol use and problem drinking. Specifically, rates of suicide and homicide are associated with per capita alcohol consumption (Cerda et al., 2010; Landsberg et al., 2008; Lester, 1995). In toxicology studies, alcohol is present in one-third to one-half of suicide and homicide victims (Darke, 2010; Karch et al., 2009; Kuhns et al., 2011). Psychological autopsy studies have reported that as many as 56% of people who committed suicide had alcohol use disorders (Conwell et al., 1996; Foster et al., 1997; Kung et al., 2003). Therefore, policies that reduce alcohol consumption may also reduce the likelihood of death by suicide or homicide.
