AN EVALUATION OF A RESPONSIBLE . . .Should the Minimum Legal Drinking Age
Be Lowered to 18?
This workshop will discuss the “Amethyst Initiative” signed by 138 College Presidents to revisit the minimum legal drinking age of 21 (MLDA 21) and consider lowering it to 18. The arguments presented by the Amethyst Initiative advocates will be presented and persuasive counterarguments will be described. Congress enacted the National Uniform Drinking Age 21 Act to protect the health and safety of the public. The experience of other countries that have tried lowering the drinking age show that the federal government’s decision was a wise one. In 1999, New Zealand lowered its drinking age from 20 to 18. The result was a dramatic increase in automobile crashes. The rate of traffic crashes and injuries to 18- and 19-year-old males increased 12 percent and for males aged 15 to 17, 14 percent. For females, the effect was even greater—rates increased 51 percent for 18- to 19-year-olds and 24 percent for 15- to 17-year-olds.
If the minimum drinking age is lowered to 18 in the United States (U.S.), the result will be greater availability of alcohol not only to those 18 to 20 years old, but also to those younger than 18. Studies in the U.S. have shown that lowering the drinking age to 18 also increases alcohol-related crashes for 15- to 17-year-olds. MLDA 21 laws save approximately 800-900 lives each year in reductions in traffic fatalities involving young drivers. Medical research shows that excessive drinking by youth aged 20 and younger may cause brain damage and reduce brain function. Early onset of drinking before age 21 increases the risk for future alcohol abuse, automobile crashes, and assaults among other alcohol-related problems. The “European Myth” will be dispelled by showing that the adolescents in most European countries (where the MLDAs are 16 to 18) have higher binge-drinking and intoxication rates than the U.S. adolescents.
When the lives and wellbeing of so many young people are at stake, it is appropriate for the federal government to step in and protect the public. The National Uniform Drinking Age 21 Act has been a balanced, effective, and popular tool in helping to combat the many problems associated with youth drinking. Repealing it would be a grave mistake.
Primary Learning Objectives:
•Understanding the arguments presented by the Amethyst Initiative for lowering the drinking age
Understanding the arguments presented by the Amethyst Initiative for lowering the drinking age•Understanding the arguments for keeping the drinking age at 21
Understanding the arguments for keeping the drinking age at 21•Describing the continuing effectiveness of the MLDA-21 in saving lives
Describing the continuing effectiveness of the MLDA-21 in saving lives•Describing evidence-based data-driven measures for reducing underage drinking problems
Describing evidence-based data-driven measures for reducing underage drinking problems•Discussing issues about underage and college binge drinking
Discussing issues about underage and college binge drinkingNorthwest Alcohol Conference
