21 vs 18

Recently there has been some debate about the merits of lowering the drinking age since 135 university presidents and chancellors signed the Amethyst Initiative. This initiative states that the 21 year old drinking age is not working.

The first article, Commentary: Drinking age of 21 saves lives, argues that against the lowering of the drinking age and is written by faculty members of the Minnesota School of Public Health. The article states that leads to less drinking problems and issues related to drinking on college campuses. There have also been fewer injuries and deaths as well as a result of the 21. The article claims that there was a decline in deaths and injuries when states increased the drinking age to 21 after lowering it in the 1970s. There are numerous other facts stated in the article that back up the statements made it the article. They argue that strict enforcement and communication with the community is the solution to reducing binge drinking.

The second article, Commentary: Drinking age of 21 doesn’t work, discusses why the drinking age should be lowered. The presidents that signed the initiative believe that a lower drinking age will result in less binge drinking. Binge drinking is the consumption of 5 or more alcoholic drinks in a row. Studies have shown that binge drinking has stayed the same in college age males and has increased in college age females. They argue that the drinking takes places where it is very difficult to police. In addition there is no respect for the minimum drinking age.

Well seeing as I am college student I think that lowering the drinking age makes sense, because if someone who is underage wants alcohol it’s not that hard to get at least on this campus. I also agree that lowering the drinking age it would decrease binge drinking as students wouldn’t need to pregame before going out.