Alcohol was a factor in 44 per cent of all the arrests made by police in a single year, the NI Assembly has heard.
NI Minister for Justice David Ford also told MLAs that alcohol related crime costs the police, courts and prisons nearly £400 million (€466 million) each year.
The figures came in response to Assembly questions on the issue and follow proposals to set a minimum price per unit of alcohol in Northern Ireland.
Mr Ford said: “As I understand it, the proposals for minimum unit pricing concentrate on the health consequences.
“In my response to the recent public consultation on this issue I did, however, recognise that there are potential criminal justice benefits to removing cheap alcoholic drinks, as police analysis of crimes during 2010 suggested alcohol was a contributory factor for 44 per cent of all those arrested.”
He added: “It is important to note, however, that while the introduction of minimum pricing should indeed make a valuable contribution in reducing damage to health in individuals and communities, the proposal on its own will not solve the alcohol misuse problem.”
Mr Ford said: “Similarly in the report last year, the report for the cost of alcohol related crime to the Department of Justice - that is to policing, to prisons, and to courts services - was £382 million for the year.
“I am always suspicious of something which purports to be quite so precise a figure, but it is clear that it is an extremely substantial figure.”
Jim Wells said of the minister’s comments: “That is an extraordinary revelation that the minister has just given to us. That for 44 per cent of those who are arrested, alcohol is a factor.
“I think that is the first time that has ever been in the public domain, and I thank him for it.”
The South Down DUP representative said it was already known that alcohol abuse costs the health system hundreds of millions of pounds a year in Northern Ireland.
Sinn Féin’s Mickey Brady said up to 70 per cent of alcohol was now consumed at home rather than in pubs and he asked if the minister planned to discuss minimum alcohol pricing with large retailers.
Mr Ford said the Department of Health and the Department for Social Development were leading on the issue.
But after a Bill on minimum pricing was recently proposed in Scotland, he said he would be monitoring debates there closely.
PA