ABSTRACT
Solid empirical data on alcohol-related casualties are a prerequisite to rational and effective policy formulation. While necessary, however, existing data on alcohol casualties are by no means sufficient as a basis for public policy decision making. There are a great many shortcomings of such data-some of which are intrinsic to data collection itself, and others which are peculiar to the subject matter of interest. If data on alcohol-related casualties are to be responsive to the needs of policymakers, it is important to be aware of these limitations and to make efforts to overcome them.
