Availability, Gang Violence, and Alcohol Policy: Gaining Support for Alcohol Regulation via Harm Reduction Strategies

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to examine the relationship between alcohol availability and gang violence. The goal of this study is to examine this relationship and the possibility that alcohol policy can prevent gang violence. Gang crimes and retail outlets were geocoded, and analyzed in conjunction with U.S. census data on race, ethnic diversity, family structure, poverty, and housing composition. A spatially aware pooled cross-sectional and time-series design was utilized. A relationship between alcohol outlet density and youth gang activity was found, as were relationships between youth gang activity and family structure, vacant housing and owner-occupied housing. Existing regulations on density of alcohol outlets may reduce or prevent gang-related violence. This possibility could give new life to policy levers that are under pressure from the alcohol industry and others in the alcohol policy arena.