WHILE STUDIES INDICATE THAT THE PERCENTAGE OF BLACKS WHO DRINK IS NO GREATER THAN THAT OF WHITES, BLACKS ARE SHOWN TO BE HEAVIER DRINKERS. THE REASONS CITED FOR THIS EXTREME ALCOHOL ABUSE AMONG BLACKS ARE: A PATTERN OF WEEKEND HEAVY DRINKING DEVELOPED DURING SLAVERY WHICH STILL EXISTS; HEAVY DRINKING IS AN EXPECTED, TOLERATED, AND SOMETIMES REWARDED SOCIAL ACTIVITY OF THE BLACK COMMUNITY; LIQUOR IS ACCESSIBLE FROM NEIGHBORHOOD STORES AND BOOTLEG DEALERS; AND LIVING UNDER THE EMOTIONAL PRESSURE CAUSED BY RACISM, POVERTY, AND A SENSE OF POWERLESSNESS, CAUSES BLACKS TO USE ALCOHOL AS AN ESCAPE MECHANISM. STATISTICS INDICATE THAT THE BLACK MALE WHO PRACTICES STREET AND PUBLIC DRINKING IS MOST LIKELY TO COMMIT A CRIME UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL. ALCOHOL TENDS TO RELEASE WHATEVER CONTROLS EXIST FOR RESTRAINING THE FRUSTRATION AND HOSTILITY TYPICALLY HARBORED BY THE BLACK MALE, CAUSING AGGRESSIVE AND ASSERTIVE BEHAVIOR. STATISTICS SHOW THE PREVALENCE AMONG BLACKS OF ALCOHOL-RELATED ASSAULTS AND HOMICIDES INVOLVING FAMILY AND POLICE CONFLICTS. MANY OF THE CONSEQUENCES OF ALCOHOL-RELATED CRIMES ARE LISTED, AS THEY AFFECT THE BLACK COMMUNITY. INCREASED ATTENTION TO THE PROBLEM ON THE PART OF BLACK LEADERS, EDUCATORS, AND RESEARCHERS IS URGED. REFERENCES ARE LISTED. (RCB)