ABSTRACT
Although neither alcohol nor drug consumption were perceived as violent in themselves, the fact that widespread substance abuse was closely linked to violence, both economic and social in nature, meant it was recognized as a problem in local communities in both countries. However, as this chapter describes, levels of preoccupation did not necessarily correlate either with the intensity of consumption, or with the associated violence levels. This in itself meant that, in many respects, substance abuse-linked violence was the most insidious manifestation of violence experienced in both countries. Although alcohol abuse-related violence in particular was highly visible both in the streets and inside the home, with fundamental daily effects in terms of fear, insecurity and well-being, people appeared unable or unwilling to confront it. Indeed, drug consumption was more of a concern, despite the fact that violence related with this was often less acute than that resulting from alcohol abuse. This was the case not only in Colombia, where drug consumption was a widespread phenomenon, particularly among young men in the larger cities, but also in Guatemala where, comparatively speaking, levels of drug abuse were much lower than Colombia.
