Since 1984, the minimum age for purchasing alcohol in the United States has been 21. In fact, the USA is the only country in the Americas where 21 is the minimum. Even more interesting is that the purchase of alcohol is not strictly illegal, but any state that allows the sale of alcohol to those under the age of 21 receives a 10% cut in annual highway profits from the federal government. This pressure from congress is enough for all 50 states to comply to the “rule of 21”. The only exception is Puerto Rico, which accepts the 10% cut in funds. Different states have their own varying laws for the actual consumption of alcohol, as the National Minimum Drinking Age Act only applies to the acquisition of liquor. Even before the NMDAA was enforced, the limit was already set at 21 in a fair amount of states, with the others' limit at 18 or 19.
For the last 25 years Americans have debated on what the minimum drinking age should be. Over the years various organizations have risen in opposition to the ban, some citing it as unconstitutional and an infringement of state's rights as well as the rights of young adults. The National Youth Rights Association believes the limitations on drinking deny citizens between the ages of 18 and 20 the same rights as other adults. The most recent organization is the Amethyst Initiative, a group of college presidents calling for the reconsideration of drinking age laws in the U.S. Their argument is that the current limit of 21 is not working. The Amethyst Initiative's official website claims that the illegal drinking occurs off-campus, and the current abstinence-only policy is more dangerous than if the age was back at 18.
According to the Associated Press, 157 college-aged people (18-23) died from alcohol poisoning between 1999 and 2005. The NY Sun claims that 1,700 college students die in accidents related to alcohol as well. New Mexico on average ranks 32nd on a list of alcohol related fatalities (alcoholalert.com). However, the average fatality rate of Americans hardly changed after 1984. This lends credit to those arguing that at 18 adults are allowed to vote, serve jury duty and risk their lives in war, but aren't allowed to drink a beer. At the same time, the average fatality rate has been lowering from 46,000 in 1987 to 41,000 in 2007. Though it's debatable as to what has caused the decrease in deaths, the higher age requirement may be partly responsible. Regardless, teens continue to drink, even those under 18.
So far President Schmidly has refused to join the 135 college presidents who have signed the Amethyst Initiative. Along with the fact that a smoking ban is being seriously considered, it looks like it will be a long time before Schmidly's mind changes. Even if the drinking age were to be lowered, does that change the idea that UNM should remain a dry campus? This is where I disagree with the presidents on the Amethyst Initiative. Although one can argue alcohol is acceptable in dorms and fraternity/sorority houses, it doesn't really belong on campus. Places like Zimmerman library, classrooms and the duck pond are much more public and socially unacceptable to drink. Nevertheless, the Amethyst Initiative's main goal is to fix the problem of 21 not working in society. They encourage responsibility foremost, something everyone can benefit from in every aspect of life.
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I agree with one of your ideas that 18 year old adults are able to die in war but cannot drink alcohol. My opinion on this matter is that 18 may be a little too young still. I believe that you are dead on with the fact that underage drinking does (and will) happen pretty much regardless of the law. However, with the drinking age at 21, I believe it is much more difficult for younger kids to get their hands on alcohol. If the drinking age were lowered to 18 (high school seniors are this age) that means that now many, if not all, freshman in high school will know someone who can buy them alcohol. However, if the drinking age is 19, I think a good middleground is achieved. Now adults will be able to drink at a lower age, but they are removed from the high school scene and will almost certainly be in college by this point.
ReplyDeleteI disagree with you on the legal drinking limit. We live in a country where you choose to go into the armed forces, therefore if you fight for your counrty that doesnt seem like you should have the right to consume alcohol. I couldnt imagine being in high school and being able to buy alcohol. If I 18 year olds were able to I'm sure there would be alot more alcohol caused deaths in this country. When your 21 you have at least been out of your parents and have had some responsibilities and when you do turn legal, you are a more mature person than you were at the age of 18. As for UNM being a dry campus I totally agree that it shouldnt be. I think we would have a much more involved student body. More attendees at sports events and even better ranked teams. Young kids want to go to a fun college, and want to be involved in the 'college life' and UNM has nothing to look forward to with that. Although I'm not saying all college kids do is want to go to a party college but it is a part of the college experience. I was in a sorority for a year and even we would get in tons of trouble for having one beer in our room, in our own house which was ridiculous. But if the house was caught with any sort of alcohol infraction they would consider shutting it down. I think overall if it were a wet campus UNM would have more of a involved student body.
ReplyDeleteI dont think that the legal drinking age should be lowered. Yes it is true that underage drinking is going to continue to happen no matter what and if the drinking age was lowered then younger kids would be able to find someone to purcahse them alcohol. The statistics of the number of deaths that occur from college age kids drinking is very high, could you image how high they would be if 14 year old kids were able to get alcohol easier than they already can?
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