Lower Drinking Age Debate Stirs Madd-ness

Wednesday August 20, 2008

A petition signed by more than 100 college presidents is calling for debate on the idea of lowering the drinking age to 18 and is meeting fierce opposition from MADD*, which contends that a lower drinking age will result in more drunk driving. (Not so, sayeth the data.)

If you've traveled, you're aware that lower drinking ages almost everywhere else on the planet don't equate to wild drinking; in fact, if your experience is anything like most, you've noted that it merely makes legal what already goes on with some 18-21 year olds, and further enhances the fun for others who've never touched a drop but also never been able to be in a truly happening club because of the US drinking age limit. And once you've clubbed it up abroad, it's hard to accept that the US won't let you do it down on the farm (though it'll call on you to be an adult in every other way).

It's this very paradox that the Amethyst Initiative addresses in asking for debate on the subject; more central to the discussion is the Amethyst contention (apparently agreed to by the college presidents who've signed thus far) that underage drinking "...has created a culture of dangerous binge drinking on... campuses." The petition points out that under-21 students currently don't necessarily drink any less than they might were it legal, but do use fake id's (illegal) and are afraid to ask for medical or police help in a situation where it's needed but which might involve alcohol (sad but very true).

You can check online to see whether your college's president has signed and let 'em know your opinion, one way or other. Should you agree with the Amethyst Initiative position, you can also write your congressman -- some states have already considered lowering the drinking age, and US territory Puerto Rico has, but the feds currently will reduce states' highway funds should they stray from the MADD-approved national position. Learn more:

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