Alcohol's role in the deaths of BC children and youth.
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.
Mitic
Wayne
W
Children's Commission, PO Box 9207, Stn Prov Govt, Victoria, BC V8W 9J1. wayne.mitic@gems5.gov.bc.ca
Greschner
John
J
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