Robins et al. reported on lifetime prevalence rates for psychiatric disorders using data from the Epidemiologic Catchment Area Project collected in three U.S. cities. Substance abuse disorders ranked first among 15 diagnoses, with an average of 13.6 percent of the general population sample having a lifetime prevalence of alcohol abuse or dependence. Societal effects related to alcohol abuse include economic costs, morbidity, and mortality. Children as a group suffer from the diverse effects of alcoholism. They may be exposed to both genetic and environmental factors if raised by an alcoholic parent. Cross-cultural psychology, sociology, and anthropological studies have delineated the problems of interpretation of alcohol abuse across cultures in blacks, Hispanics, Jews, and Native Americans. Certain other groups, such as veterans, the elderly, women, and homosexuals, share common sociopolitical roots. Since alcohol use is widespread and generally accepted, the best approach to the prevention of alcohol-related problems should involve a concerted social policy plan using education, advertising, and mass media with taxation, drunken-driver-diversion programs, and other regulatory measures to foster safe, controlled use of alcohol. 87 references.