title: Alcohol's role in the deaths of BC children and youth.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the prevalence and context of alcohol use in the deaths of children and youth reviewed by the BC Children's Commission.
  
  
  METHODS
  In 489 case reviews of BC children and youth, we examined the role that alcohol may have had at the time of death or whether there was a history of alcohol use either by the deceased child or another person in the child's life.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Alcohol is most prevalent in the lives of 15-18 year olds. It is present at the time of death in two fifths of Motor Vehicle Incidents (MVI) and one third of suicides and drownings.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Alcohol has a profound presence in the lives and deaths of children reviewed by the Children's Commission. Enhancing deterrence laws and alcohol control policies, and increasing public awareness are warranted.
authors.affiliation: Children's Commission, PO Box 9207, Stn Prov Govt, Victoria, BC V8W 9J1. wayne.mitic@gems5.gov.bc.ca
authors.forename: Wayne
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Mitic
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Greschner
mesh_terms: D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000401:mortality; D000293:Adolescent; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D001955:British Columbia / Q000453:epidemiology; D002423:Cause of Death; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004332:Drowning / Q000401:mortality; D005260:Female; D006708:Homicide / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007226:Infant Mortality; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D013398:Sudden Infant Death / Q000453:epidemiology; D013405:Suicide / Q000706:statistics & numerical data