Recent media coverage surrounding the desire to lower the legal drinking age has sparked many interesting conversations in our area regarding underage drinking. According to their website, the Amethyst Initiative is comprised of chancellors and presidents of universities and colleges across the United States that have "signed their names to a public statement that the 21 year-old drinking age is not working, and, specifically, that it has created a culture of dangerous binge drinking on their campuses."
We believe it is important to note that the concern should not lie in the legal age, but should lie in the AMOUNT of alcohol people of all ages are consuming. Binge drinking is defined as having five or more drinks on at least one occasion, and statistics have shown that it is a problem for both adults and youth in Marshall County.
Marshall county is ranked as 1st in West Virginia as the worst county for binge drinking between the ages of 18-25, while the county is ranked 3rd in binge drinking for ages 26 and older. Based on these statistics alone, binge drinking is not only an issue with those under the age of 21, but the legal adult population appears to have a problem with it as well.
A "Booze and Cruise, You'll Lose" survey conducted by the law firm Gold, Khourey, & Turak at John Marshall High School in 2007 reported that 57.7% of those surveyed were in favor of lowering the drinking age. Interestingly, the same survey conducted in 2008 stated that only 34.8% of those surveyed believed the legal drinking age should be lowered, which demonstrates a significant drop in a one year period. Of the 463 high school students across the Ohio Valley that took part in this survey, 55.5% were NOT in favor of lowering the drinking age.
If a majority of students surveyed in our communities do not feel it is necessary to lower the drinking age, then why are adults trying to change the law?
Check out this article regarding what the group Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) is looking to do to oppose this initiative.
http://www.cadca.org/CoalitionsOnline/article.asp?id=1959
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1 comments:
Lowering the legal age for drinking alcohol to 18 is not an answer. 100 college presidents want to spark a debate to the contrary.
As someone who teaches, coaches and is a SADD advisor in a building of students in grades 7 through 12, I am constantly hearing about the number of students in all of these grades who are drinking, and the consequences of being drunk. We are constantly fighting this as best we can. The last thing we need is for these students to have easier access through the 18 year olds still in high school.
The problem with drinking in college is the fact that it is often overlooked. To expect all resident assistants, or other students in charge of monitoring dormitories or other living quarters, to be totally aware of what’s going on or even willing to turn in their peers and friends when they themselves are studying, being involved in extra-curricular activities, etc., is expected but not realistic. Campus police and older authorities need to be more involved and active.
Regardless of what the drinking age is, lowering it to 18 will not absolve the colleges from the consequences of alcohol abuse. Rape, assault, and other crimes may actually increase with increased access on campus. You would think that college administrators would frown upon increased problems. I believe it is time that these administrators become responsible for the actions of their students. They need to become pro-active in targeting this problem. When they talk to concerned parents at the opening of school meetings for freshman parents, or on campus tours or visits, about their school policies regarding illegal alcohol abuse, they need to back up their words with action, and put teeth into policies. Granted, they are not outright asking for the age to be reduced but rather to bring about an educated debate, but if they supported the current law would this discussion even be taking place today?
While the debate about ages with regard to being old enough to vote and fight in a war are strong, age limits for various rights differ for good reasons. 16 is the legal driving age, 25 for a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, 30 for a member of the Senate, and 35 to become President or Vice-President. There are other legal ages for other things. Ages shouldn’t be chosen just for numbers sake. They need to be thought out and justified. Research proves that the brain is still developing until at least the age of 21 or beyond. Why would those in charge of “developing” the brain choose to support something that does the opposite?
There are a number of statistics that have shown that raising the legal drinking age to 21 from 18 has decreased the number of fatalities in this age group. An 18 year old may carry a loaded weapon in combat, and while this age can be debated, more 18 year olds with increased access will be driving their loaded weapons on the highways if those who wish to the legal drinking to 18 have their way.
College presidents do face an uphill battle in the fight against alcohol abuse. Three types of students attend college with regards to thoughts on alcohol. Many students attend college already with a history of drinking. Others have such strict, feared parents at home, and without getting the proper education on alcohol can’t wait to get away from home to rebel and start drinking. Finally, there are those who are both well-educated and monitored by their parents. It’s a shame that too many students and parents believe that drinking is a right of passage. Parents are not only the primary teachers when it comes to the dangers of alcohol, but are also the primary role models. Nevertheless, no matter the student, reason or circumstance, college administrators should feel committed to the total well-being of their students, and just as in good parenting, understand that sometimes tough love is necessary, even if costly.
The challenge to all of us, as parents, educators, or in whatever role we play in the development of our futures and that of our youth, is to not shirk from our responsibilities, but to feel empowered to do what is morally and ethically just to ensure better overall lives for all concerned. Let us do our best to guarantee a better future in our ever increasingly difficult society by working together toward the total and proper development and education of our youth. It is difficult to do this alone, but together we can do anything.
Mark Witzberger
Cameron High School SADD
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