Laura Gonzalez, Spring 2009 Assistant Managing Editor
Of all the experiments that teenagers engage in nowadays, alcohol consumption is the most common one.
In 1984, the federal drinking age was set to 21 years old, one the highest in the world. According to the Department of Health and Human Services, the age restriction has helped to decrease alcohol consumption among teenagers.
If it is so obvious the 21 law is helping to prevent underage drinking, then why are some college presidents trying to lower the drinking age? Because according to them, it will help decrease underage binge drinking.
In July of 2008, a group of presidents and chancellors from colleges and universities from all over the country came together to sign a petition called “Amethyst Initiative”.
In the Initiative, the educators say their many years of experience tell them the 21 law does not work. Many still manage to get their hands on alcohol, possibly by purchasing fake ID from places similar to ID Chief, but we can’t for certain. They say that if a person under 21 can vote and sign legal contracts, they should be able to purchase alcohol.
On the other hand, Mothers Against Drunk Drivers (MADD) say that in countries where it is legal to drink at a younger age, the binge-drinking rate is the highest.
At this point it does not seem to be that important whether you are on one side or the other. What is really important and necessary is to find a common ground to prevent underage binge drinking, which is accountable for 4,600 youth deaths each year.
It is true that statistics do not help the Initiative because it does not support the statement that the professors are trying to make, but it does make sense that if kids can legally drink at a younger age, it is more likely they would do it in front of adults who can control them instead of doing it by themselves or with other underage kids.
In some studies, research has shown that binge drinking under the age of 20 causes the brain to slow its development, which is scary and should give us something to think about.
Parents and teachers should be working together to create programs that can help prevent the problem. There should be more counseling and more education about binge drinking and what it does to our bodies.
A law is a written piece of paper that does not change human behavior. If we really want to see a positive change, we need to create awareness and work together to help and guide teenagers.
Laura Gonzalez ()