Researchers at Edith Cowan and Monash Universities wrote last week that alcohol remains the major cause of violence in Australia, despite the media focus on methamphetamines (ICE) and demonization of party drugs. Stephen Bright and Martin Williams report that 47% of homicides involve violence and nine times as many people reporting violence as a result of alcohol compared to illicit drugs. A marked increase in the reporting of domestic violence compared to a relatively stable level of alcohol consumption has led many agencies to blame ICE. Writing in the Conversation last week, the academics called for more research to clarify this.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-02-15/drug-professor-nicole-lee-says-ice-epidemic-not-true/8272742
https://theconversation.com/alcohol-leads-to-more-violence-than-other-drugs-but-youd-never-know-from-the-headlines-72281