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THURSDAY AUGUST 16 2007 12:00 AM

Congratulations, Graduate... Now Get Drunk

Submitted by code_red

Welcome to America. Home to baseball, George W. Bush, and The highest drinking age in the world. I know that when I was 16 I was drinking like an Irish dock worker, because I had friends who had friends who knew a guy in college. That guy and those friends would get drunk and pass out, which is when I would pocket all the booze to enjoy with my "underage" friends at a later date. But future generations might get to enjoy something I never had: Having a drink at 18... legally.

Over the strong objection of federal safety officials, a quiet movement to lower the legal drinking age to 18 is taking root as advocates argue that teenagers who are allowed to vote and fight for their country should also be able to enjoy a beer or two.

The ban on alcohol sales to minors though is a state requirement, not federal. If states don't comply, they lose money for highway funds. Given the recent events in Minnesota, I would say the effect of missing highway funds is being felt regardless of drinking laws. Though states ban alcohol sales, they do not necessarily ban the consumption by minors. Data shows that the current drinking age really has no effect on youngsters:

The federal governments National Survey on Drug Use and Health found that in 2005, the most recent year for which complete figures are available, 85 percent of 20-year-old Americans reported that they had used alcohol. Two out of five said they had binged that is, consumed five or more drinks at one time within the previous month.

I know when I first joined the US Military at 17 and began my travels of the world, I learned more from 40-something drinkers in Australia, Italy, and Thailand then I ever learned from a high school health lecture on the effects of drinking. Others seem to agree with this factor. I think its because we all like to have a drinking buddy. Thankfully we have groups like Choose Responsibly, led by John McCardell, the former President of Middlebury College. They will teach parents to get plastered with us, and respect the rights of young adults everywhere. Well, that's the hope. I think.

To McCardell, however, the real problem is that we are not teaching teenagers how to drink responsibly.

Choose Responsibility proposes lowering the drinking age to 18, but only in conjunction with drinking licenses, similar to drivers licenses, mandating alcohol education for those ages 18 to 21.

Education works, McCardell said, but its never been tried. Now its mandatory only after youve been convicted of DUI. That is not an act of genius.

So here is an idea: Lower the drinking age, create tougher drunk driving penalties like in other countries, and make a family day of getting drunk. I'm sure we will learn more about our families and ourselves then we ever cared to know... at least parents will finally be aware of what REALLY happens in college.

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Comments

scylis

USA

November 2004

AUG 16, 2007 12:07 AM

i've always failed to see how someone can be seen as mature enough to help decide who runs the country but not mature enough to have even a Mike's Hard.

BDeyeD

Toronto, ON

January 2007

AUG 16, 2007 12:22 AM

All I can say is, "Finally!!!"

Jasper

SUICIDEGIRL

I'm lost

AUG 16, 2007 12:49 AM

I would like this a lot.
But if not...

*pity me*
...I can always go to Mexico.
I mean... I risk being sold into slavery
and I don't really know Spanish
but it's totally worth it.
*/pity me*

And THATS why drinking should be legal at 18.

Rafi

Santa Monica, CA

January 2003

AUG 16, 2007 01:00 AM

The drinking age should be lowered, yes.

But if we're serious about cutting down on binge drinking in America, the whole idea of alcohol consumption should be de-mystified. Children as they grow up should see that drinking is not necessarily an exotic, overindulgent activity. It can just as easily be a glass of wine or quality ale savored with dinner, and as they reach their late teens it can absolutely be a positive experience to have their first drink, in moderation, with the family.

But of course, we would never do that here. Because that's how those filthy, socialist French do it.