Heavy drinking and interpersonal violence at and around different alcohol outlets in the North West Province, South Africa

Abstract

South Africa faces major problems of heavy drinking and associated violence, with grave socio-economic repercussions. There is evidence linking alcohol outlets to alcohol-related violence. However, specific risk factors of violence and heavy drinking within these alcohol outlets remain obscure to social workers in particular. This study addresses such obscurities. It concludes that there is an incongruence of policies and practices in the running of alcohol outlets. Recommendations for stringent measures to ensure policy compliance are made.