85 pct of murders triggered by alcohol, says Turkish report

Alcohol use triggers 85 percent of murder cases, according to the "Turkey Alcohol Report" released in İstanbul on Monday.

Prepared by the Turkish Green Crescent Society (Yeşilay), the report states that alcohol abuse is one of the most important issues facing modern society.

Based on World Health Organization (WHO) data encompassing 30 nations, the report reveals that in Turkey, consumption per capita has increased 14 times in 40 years, while the age for first-time use has dropped to 11 years. While the alcohol use per person was 1.5 liters in 1970, this jumped to 15 liters in 1995. The current figure, as it stands, is 20 liters.

The report's findings were released at a press conference at the Rast Hotel Sultanahmet. They suggest that there are 4 million alcoholics in Turkey and 13 million who are prone to alcohol abuse. Moreover, 15.3 billion liters of alcohol are consumed each year in the nation. The report also draws attention to the fact that alcohol addiction starts with beer consumption.

Report findings also suggest that young people born in İstanbul consume more alcohol when compared with those born in other Turkish cities. Men also consume more alcohol than women.

In his speech to members of the media, Mehmet Varol, the advisor to the Yeşilay chairman, said 12.2 percent of divorces in Turkey are alcohol and gambling related.

The breakdown of cases the report found to be triggered by alcohol and their rates of occurrence are reported as follows: Homicide (85 percent), divorce (80 percent), domestic abuse (70 percent), imprisonment (78 percent), hooliganism (70 percent), offenses concerning property (77 percent), theft and pick pocketing (71 percent), absence from work (60 percent), suicide attempts (90 percent), sexual assault (50 percent), traffic accidents (70 percent) and mental illness (60 percent).

Releasing the "Turkey Gambling Report" in the month of March, Yeşilay set aside this month for alcohol. Yeşilay continues its campaign against alcoholism, smoking and drug use.


/World Bulletin/