title: Exploring the distribution of alcohol violation-types in North Carolina between 2000 and 2011.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We used an exhaustive dataset of violations from the NC Alcohol Law Enforcement (ALE) agency to analyze 12 years of alcohol-related violations in NC.
  
  
  METHODS
  Descriptive statistics were used to explore distribution and epidemiology of alcohol citations, including distributions by demographic factors, month, day of the week, and time of day.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Approximately 47,065 citations were issued by ALE during this time. The majority of the citations were issued to non-Hispanic (96%), white (89%), males (65%). The median age was 19 years old (range 18-94). The months with the most citations were August through October and April. Citations issued on Thursday through Sunday accounted for approximately 87% of all citations issued. The most common types of violations were underage possession of beer/wine (55.5%), providing beer/wine to someone underage (13.6%), and underage possession of liquor (8.8%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This is the first study to examine the epidemiology of alcohol-related violations over a large geographical area. Other states, provinces, and/or countries can use these findings to exam if their distribution alcohol-related violations are comparable with this study, and explore associations between such data and alcohol use behaviors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Education and Promotion, East Carolina University, 2302 Carol Belk Building, MS 529, Greenville, NC 27858, USA. Electronic address: cremeensj@ecu.edu.
authors.forename: Jennifer L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Cremeens
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Education and Promotion, East Carolina University, 2206 Carol Belk Building, MS 529, Greenville, NC 27858, USA. Electronic address: martinry@ecu.edu.
authors.forename: Ryan J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.affiliation: Department of Criminal Justice, East Carolina University, 239 Rivers Building, Greenville, NC 27858, USA. Electronic address: jonesg@ecu.edu.
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jones
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D003415:Crime / Q000639:trends*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D035846:Law Enforcement; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009657:North Carolina / Q000453:epidemiology; D012737:Sex Factors; D013997:Time Factors
keywords: Alcohol; Enforcement; Policy