A bit of booze during the weekend or having a drink with a bunch of friends may sound harmless, but a study by the National Institute of Mental health and Neuro Sciences (Nimhans) shows why keeping a hold on it is very important.

TOI reports that a Nimhans study has revealed that youngsters, especially those who stay away from home for work and study, are committing violent crimes like murder and rape under the influence of alcohol, the report said.

The study also revealed that there is an increasing incidence of violence in tier-3 cities like Dharwad, Udupi and Kolar among youngsters between the age group of 18 to 29, the report adds.

Dr Vivek Benegal, professor of psychiatry at Nimhans, who was a part of the team which conducted the study, told TOI that men and women who turn violent after consuming alcohol have a tendency to commit crimes as grave as murder or rape, but are mentally stable.

Dr Benegal also says that youngsters who stay away from family often don’t follow social norms and their minds are always in a state of transition, which makes them ignorant of the law. Hence even a few drops of alcohol can be the trigger, the TOI report adds.

Alcohol-induced violence is a major concern in many countries in the west since children move out of their parents’ homes much earlier, Dr Benegal told TOI, while adding that youth in tier-3 cities are the worst affected.

The police, however, say that alcohol-related crimes are not new to Bengaluru and are not limited to the youth. A 36-year-old daily wage worker was murdered by the security guard she was living with. The duo would drink every night and fight. The security guard killed her last Saturday and fled, the police were quoted as saying by TOI.