Introduction Community health nursing has made significant efforts in improving quality of life. However, this progress has been negated by increased levels of drug abuse and violence. According to CDC (2012), substance abuse has led to increased youth violence in the United States. Moreover, it has affected provision of quality health services to individuals in the areas concerned. This paper will explore alcohol, drug abuse, school violence, and elder maltreatment. It will also explore the link between alcohol/drug abuse and violence. How alcohol and violence affects the public health in our communities Alcohol abuse has been observed in various parts of the world. Of great concern are youths who have been worst affected by alcohol abuse. Moreover, studies have shown that there is a likelihood of increased violence among alcohol addicts. This is worse among youths who tend to believe that drug abuse and violence are normal (Saucier & Janes, 2009). Alcohol and violence destroy lives of youths and their families. This can lead to mental or psychological issues, which cause strain on public health facilities. Moreover, violence has the propensity of causing public health concerns such as murder, injuries, assault, and bullying, among others, in communities. Emergency treatments because of violence through alcohol abuse have been reported profoundly in the United States. The State of Miami has witnessed rampant violence, shootings and drug abuse among the youth. This has reneged on steps towards a healthy community. Prevalence of school violence and elder maltreatment School violence can also be referred to as youth violence. School violence can be defined as harmful behaviors, which begin early in children, continue through adolescence and to young adulthood. In most cases, the young individual can be a witness, an offender or a victim. Miami, Florida (zip code 33144) has witnessed one of the most horrific school violence in the United States. One official attested to have buried more than 40 children in Miami (CDC, 2012). This is quite serious considering that large amounts of resources have been utilized to stem school violence. Elder maltreatment refers to any form of neglect or abuse done to persons of 60 years or over by an individual expected to provide good care. This can be done through physical abuse, neglect, finance abuse, psychological abuse, abandonment or sexual abuse, among others. Healthypeople2020 (2013) attests that violence is among the top 15 killers in America. Moreover, it argues that most incidences of violence are avoidable. Statistics indicate that every year, over 180000 die because of injuries from violence. Moreover, it has also been found that the leading cause of death for Americans aged below 44 years is injuries (CDC, 2010). Relation between drug/alcohol abuse and violence Alcohol/Drug abuse is closely linked to violence. Substance abuse leads to decadence of rationale among abusers. This increases the likelihood of violence among them. Additionally, drug abuse may lead to addiction, which promotes violence and theft. This usually happens when one does not have adequate funds to abuse drugs/alcohol. Essentially, drug/alc