Abstract

Background: Assaults and Road traffic accidents are the common medicolegal cases. Alcohol consumption has a pivotal role, leading to most of the road traffic accidents and crimes. Analysis of National Crime Records Bureau data 2013, reveals that 15 people die every day – ie., one person every 96 minutes – from the effects of drinking alcohol². In 2015, Tamil Nadu has the highest cognizable crime rate of 723.2 (per 100,000 persons), while Nagaland recorded lowest rates of 55.1 (per 100,000 persons). According to a survey in 2013,one serious road traffic accident occurs in our country every minute and 16 die on Indian roads every hour. 1214 road traffic accidents occur every day in India. Two wheelers account for 25% of total road traffic accident deaths¹.

Methods and Materials: This study was conducted in the accident & emergency ward by Department of General Surgery, Kanyakumari Government Medical College Hospital during the period of Jan 2016 – Jan 2017

Observation & Results: More than 40% of the Greviously injured RTA victims were under the influence of alcohol. HIGH INCIDENCE OF RTA is found among the age group of 15-40years. In this, 35.23% were under the influence of alcohol.26.33% of the greviously injured assault victims were under the influence of alcohol. HIGH INCIDENCE OF ASSAULT is found among the age group of 41-60years. In this, 30.73% were under the influence of alcohol.

Conclusion: Alcohol addiction is a health problem, not a moral one, and there are many proven strategies which can reduce its burden. Prohibition is rejected by most public health scientists who know this field; even the World Health Organisation does not recommend it.

Manivel Ganesan

Intern, Dept of General Surgery

Kanyakumari Government Medical College, Kanyakumari