Most adolescents report alcohol use before the legal drinking age of 18. However, it is not possible to prove a causal link between alcohol consumption and crime in general. Nevertheless, a strong association exists between intoxication and certain crimes of violence and disorder. In addition, by definition intoxication is linked to the offenses of drunkenness and drunk driving. Methods of reducing alcohol abuse by young people include education, increased taxation of beer and high-strength ciders, regulation and monitoring of advertising, and the provision of alcohol-free youth facilities. Efforts should focus also on the needs of ethnic minority communities. Improved training and added efforts by the probation services, social services, and the Youth Service, as well as increased interagency efforts are needed. The current minimum drinking age of 18 should be maintained, but monitoring of alcohol licensees should be improved.