An evaluation of alcoholism services in Minnesota using a social indicator method

Alcohol-related events in Minnesota are assessed using a social indicator method. Eight events have shown rate average increases of 2.0-13.5% per year over the last 7-14 yr, with most events increasing 5-7%. These include traffic fatalities, alcoholic cirrhosis deaths, alcohol deaths, arrest for liquor law violations, convictions for driving while intoxicated (first and repeat), and state hospital admissions (first and repeat). Statistical analyses of these increases show that, even with relatively few sample years, the rate and direction of rate increases are highly significant for most events.