ABSTRACT
The dramatic increase in American violence since World War II is as difficult to understand as it is to control. While the US criminal justice system is an important component of societal efforts to combat violence, the application of crime control measures alone will not be sufficient to reduce violence. The incidence of injuries and deaths from violence has continued to increase in spite of ever greater resources devoted to crime control. Many experts believe that non-domestic violence has increased in American life primarily because of failed national drug policies. It has been the policy of the United States federal government to control substance abuse through criminal law. The violence crisis warrants crisis measures in response. Violence prevention activities must become as common and routine in American life as violence itself. Violence must be addressed by families in the home directly and consistently, with strong support from local religious and community organizations.
