Lowering the Drinking Age to 18?

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United States
Posted: 10:11 AM Aug 19, 2008
Last Updated: 10:11 AM Aug 19, 2008
Reporter: Associated Press
Email Address: desk@kolnkgin.com

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Presidents of about 100 of the nation's best-known colleges and universities are calling on lawmakers to lower the drinking age from 21 to 18. They say current laws actually encourage dangerous binge drinking on campus.

The movement is called the Amethyst Initiative. It began recruiting college presidents more than a year ago to spark a national debate on the drinking age.

The school chiefs are already facing sharp criticism. Mothers Against Drunk Driving said lowering the drinking age would lead to more fatal car crashes.

It's also urging parents to think twice about sending their children to colleges that take part in the effort. MADD's president says the 21-year-old drinking age won't be enforced at those campuses.

Among the schools represented in the initiatives are Duke, Dartmouth, Ohio State and Syracuse.

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Posted by: Anonymous on Oct 9, 2008 at 06:28 PM
I personally feel that the drinking age needs to be 18. I my self have recieved 2 MIP's both of which were after i was 18 become quite costly. I dont think it would ever pass because in my county i would guess that probley 15% of the courts reveune comes from underage drinking citations and why would they ever want to turn down that kind of money. But the main reason that i believe bing drinking occurs in under 21 people is because that way nebraska is set up with it's zero tollerance policy. Say an under 21 person goes out to have a beer or two and conversate with there friends once they take that first drink of beer if they would happen to get caught they would get a citation so if your gonna drink one beer and you know that you wont be able to get alcohol for a while after that night than that is when binge drinking occurs. I dont think that the drinking age should be 18 for high school reason but 19 for sure.

Posted by: Anonymous on Sep 17, 2008 at 10:17 PM
If your considerd a adult at age 18 then why can't you be treated the same as adults that are 21.You can drop out of school,vote,smoke,and go off to war, fight for your country but you can't sit down and have a beer or two.Underage drinking will happen anywhere.At any age so why not lower it to 18? If you can do all those things why can't you drink as a adult?

Posted by: Maggie on Aug 26, 2008 at 07:59 PM
I think that they should lower the drinking age. It makes no difference whether you are 18 or 21. Its called a fake id or an older person can get it for you. Nobody wants to open up ther eyes to the fact that if you want to drink you can very easily. If you teach your kid to be responsible with alcohol then you really should have no problem no matter what the drinking age is. Im 18 and my parents know what goes on at parties. They understand and thats because they remember what it was like to be my age. I would like to believe that I am somewhat responsible and I know to never drink and drive, as do my friends. We have grown up in an era where every time you open up the paper there is another drunk driving accident. After watching all those movies about drunk driving we get the message. I believe that if you can go fight for your country you should be able to have a drink when you get home.

Posted by: kaitlyn Location: c-ville on Aug 26, 2008 at 11:36 AM
i think they should lower the drinkin age to 18.

Posted by: Ana Zamora Location: Baytown Tx on Aug 23, 2008 at 05:11 PM
I really don't think you should lower down the age. I think they should rise it to 25. All is going to do is to get easier acces for alcohol for fifteen, sixteen year olds. My friend Carlos is 19 and he manages to get alcohol. He even gets it for seventeen year olds.Thats not all even hard Liqour. I'm 21 and I think it should go up. We Have enough drunk People in this town and we don't need to see little kids drinking either.

Posted by: Buck Location: Lincoln on Aug 20, 2008 at 10:32 PM
Theres no argument here whether the laws change or not.When I was sixteen many years ago,we just went to small towns to buy booze.If a person wants it bad enough they can try to buy it or steal it.Small town bars will sell it to anyone even this day and age.

Posted by: Mandi Location: Campbell on Aug 20, 2008 at 02:46 PM
I know. My son already has one. I meant a regular license to drive where ever without another licensed driver with you, for anyone else who needs it spelled out. Like I said, a little common sense goes a long way. Since you obviously didn't get my point, as long as there is no real punishment for EVERYONE that commits a crime, it doesn't matter what they change the law to. There should be no loop holes, favors for somebody's cousins' friends' sister, or an Oh, OK, don't do it again! because somebody has some money in the bank, pictures of somebody doing something they shouldn't or because it might hurt my friends' feelings. In other words, there are bigger issues out there that need to be fixed before we worry about what the drinking age is. Fix those problems, and what the drinking age is won't be an issue.

Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 20, 2008 at 01:50 PM
You can already get a school permit at 14...

Posted by: Mandi Location: Campbell on Aug 20, 2008 at 01:27 PM
In my opinion, whatever the law says is or isn't legal doesn't really matter. People are going to do what they want anyway. Make the age 18, and the 16 year olds are going to be the next problem age. Oh, wait, they already are. Are we going to let the drivers license age be 14, then? Or how about 12? That would make alot of sense. As long as we have no real enforcement for any of our laws, it's never going to matter. We can let child molesters live in our neighborhoods and murderers go free all the time because the cop left out one word in the Miranda or something equally as stupid. We might be in the USA, but I can guarentee you that all of the men and women that have died for our country to be free didn't do it so we could end up the way things are going today. A little common sense goes a long way, but that doesn't get people elected. We need to face these bigger issues as a country before we worry about changing the drinking age.

Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 20, 2008 at 12:23 PM
whether the age is 21 or 18 or 45 they will still drink regardless!!! so why not just make it 18 because it really don't matter the age the law say's underage drinking will continue till the end of time!!!!

Posted by: Dan Location: Lincoln on Aug 20, 2008 at 11:29 AM
This issue really is not about the age of the young people that are drinking. This law if put in place will not change anything. It all depends on the indavidule kids and the parents that raised them. In this day of technolagy we should realy be looking at the parents and holding kids and the parents that raised them responsable for there actions.

Posted by: joey on Aug 20, 2008 at 10:41 AM
can everyone make the best choices or decisions when you are 18 or 19 or even 21. i know i haven't. 21 is good. 18 is too young. i probably would have been drunk most of the time.

Posted by: Sarah Location: Lincoln on Aug 20, 2008 at 10:37 AM
Are you people nuts!!!We had the 19 legal age once.. What a mess!! Remember these are kids,,they act like fighting idiots when you add alcohol...there are strict rules in the millitary..they police their own base...we can't..It should not be the bar owners that have to babysit and pay the consequences...lEAVE IT AT 21 AND THATS BAD ENOUGH!!

Posted by: drh on Aug 20, 2008 at 10:36 AM
Lower it, but only to 19.

Posted by: Rita Location: Lincoln on Aug 20, 2008 at 10:01 AM
What 18 yezr old is going to say... "Better not binge... I'm only 18. I better wait until I'm 21." Good grief... it doesn't take a rocket scientist...

Posted by: wndr Location: lincoln on Aug 20, 2008 at 09:12 AM
why are the presidents of these universities pushing for this ? i know for a fact that these under 21 students will still binge drink the same as before....only now it will be legal....maybe if they can buy booze at any given time the law enforcement community can make more money off of them....DUI's etc...also the bars would make more money....but is it better for these young people is the real question

Posted by: why the hype on Aug 20, 2008 at 12:58 AM
Thats all we need is DRUNK teen drivers, they are bad enough! Cell phone talking, texting, looking at themselves, talking , turning chanel,etc... That is an accident waiting to happen. That would mean some high schoolers, well most could drink? There goes post-prom with no alcohol activities or parties after prom. yikessssss Besides drinking isn't that wonderful!

Posted by: Don on Aug 19, 2008 at 10:59 PM
When I joined the Navy at 18 and went to boot camp and A school in San Diego. During A school I could drink all I wanted on Base as it was legal at 18 on base but not in town. I think more people left the base and drank then stayed where it was legal. Also there wern't people stumbling and falling from drunkness all over the base. Everybody was pretty responsible. We also went to Mexico to drink as there was no drinking age there and you could buy beer for a quarter over the border. We still didn't get real drunk when it only cost a quarter. I have been around the world and there is no country that has a drinking age as high as the US and we have the worst problems. Also most other nations don't care if women go topless and theyu have much lower sex related issues than the US. Maybe we need to rethink a lot of the laws on the books and change more and inforce lawbreakers with stiffer penalties. Maybe we would have a better US without so many laws that make no sense.

Posted by: Marty Location: Near South on Aug 19, 2008 at 09:05 PM
I'm more inclined to 19 myself. Teach the kids moderation in all things and the problems will be fewer.

Posted by: mom on Aug 19, 2008 at 07:51 PM
Well if they do lower the drinking age to 18 then they better lower the age of being an adult to 18.. Now as it is you are not an adult until you are 19 so if you get in to trouble at 18 drinking then it is the parents who have to pay for everything and that is just not fair.. Make these kids have a little more responsibility for their actions.. I have a 18yr old who got in trouble for drinking and who has to pay all the lawyer fees and probation and fines..Not my kid but me.. and I have to take off work to go to class with her..For What i am not the one who BROKE the law..So at 18 they get in trouble and you pay for it so why should they care..Lower the age of being responsible for yourself..If you are old enuf to get a job and think you no everything...Let the legal age to be an adult be 16..Stop holding the parents responsible for everything

Posted by: m Location: beatrice on Aug 19, 2008 at 07:47 PM
There are several good points being made. An 18 yr old carries a gun because he is TRAINED AND THERE ARE SEVERE PENALTIES if he abuses it. Parents overprotect and DO NOT teach there kids to be responsible for their actions! Stiffer penalties- not having someone get a 3rd, 4th or more DUI. Has the fatality rate dropped? 19 or 20, should be the age NOT 18.

Posted by: Mike Location: Kansas on Aug 19, 2008 at 06:12 PM
Going into the military at the age of 18 will most likely make a teenager more responsible. Drinking at any age WILL NOT, so just leave the legal drinking age where it's at...

Posted by: Fitz Location: Lincoln on Aug 19, 2008 at 05:38 PM
This is America isnt it, why not have a vote

Posted by: Joe Location: Kansas on Aug 19, 2008 at 05:12 PM
Guess if you are old enough to fight for your country at 18, then you should be able to have a beer at 18 too, right?

Posted by: Justin on Aug 19, 2008 at 05:09 PM
As I was saying. The more assecible something is the less desirable it is. Also would you rather have 18 year olds guzzling as much as possible (Binge Drinking) on the weekends OR drinking sensibly w/ there freinds here and there throughout the week. I think those of you that are quick to say NO NO NO, are just jelouse that you children are much more mature and exposed to so much more than we were growing up. I know kids today are twice as mature and smarter and better off than any of us wre at that age!!!! And before were so quick to shout off statistics about fatality rates. Just how much did tha Fatality rate drop when the drinking age was raised from 18 to 21? Why do other Industrialized nations have lower drinking ages and don't seem to have the problems we do w/ the higher drinking age? Enforcment, and Stiffer penelties are the awnser. Not age. An adult is an adult and in Nebraska 18 your an adult! No if ands or buts. So entitle them to all the privleges of an adult. Lets think!

Posted by: Justin on Aug 19, 2008 at 04:52 PM
For it, look at the countries that let you drink at lower ages (BUT in turn have sever punishments for breaking laws)Do they have highr fatality rates? For those that are to nieve to open your eyes, 18 year olds get beer today w/ little to no problem. And when they get caught the penelty is a slap on the wrist. Even 3rd 4th time DUI convictions are a slap on the wristin comparison to first time DUI charges overseas. It's not the drinking age that makes the differences. It's the penelties for breaking the laws that make the difference. I drank before 21, all three of my brothers drank before 21. (MY PARENTS BY THE WAY WERE VERY MUCH AGAINST IT AND WOULD NEVER CONDONE IT) But we did it anyway. Much like most of society, if your not suppose to do, let see if we get caught for doing it. Onother thing,Once I turned 21, I stopped the binge drinking as so did most of my college friends. Why you may ak, well DUH it's easily accessible and we don't have to drink mass quanities of it.

Posted by: travis Location: lincoln on Aug 19, 2008 at 04:25 PM
having the drinking age at 21 didn't ever stop my friends and i from drinking during our college years. we would just find another student who was of age to buy for us. responsible parents will teach their children the responsability that comes with drinking during their growing up years. besides, anyone who remembers being a kid will remember the tought "if it is prohibited it must be fun".

Posted by: anon Location: Lincoln on Aug 19, 2008 at 04:08 PM
How about make the drinking age 19. You still have high school students that are 18 - why do we want to make getting alcohol easier for high school students. I also think it should be some kind of provisional license to drink...if you get a DUI or anything that involved alcohol you should be restricted until your 21.

Posted by: Ray Location: South Lincoln on Aug 19, 2008 at 03:22 PM
As a Senior NCO in the military and three trips to the Middle East I have seen some 18 year olds do some immpecable things. Things that I am ashamed of many adalts for. As a former Cop I saw parents spend all they had on the deffence of a MIP. It is once again difficult to write a law for all when you have somany people that won't hold them selves responsible for thier own actions. Spending time in foriegn countries showed me that letting them drink early and having severe punishments for violations works. (They don't have as many lawers either.)

Posted by: ken Location: lincoln on Aug 19, 2008 at 02:50 PM
how can kids make a choice to fight and die for there country, if they are not smart enough to make there own choices on alcohol. If you had to wait until you were 25 years old no one would join the military. Just saying old enough to die old enough to drink !!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: Timmmy Location: Lincoln on Aug 19, 2008 at 02:19 PM
to continue now that young man is in the penal system which we all know is paid for by tax payers which cost us money and ruins his chances of becoming a successful person in life. Allowing these kids to drink not only would be reckless but it would not be the smartest decision either. My parents would have never shared alcohol or said it was okay and neither will I with my little girl but for those of you that think its okay I hope nothing bad comes of it and that god looks out for everyone they are around or could cause harm too as a result of it.

Posted by: Timmmy Location: Lincoln on Aug 19, 2008 at 02:11 PM
To all of those who use the "they can die for our country at 18 but cant drink" excuse you should be ashamed of your self. I enlisted when I was 18 and it was an honor to be in the military. You can not tell me that if an 18 year old kid would be responsible enough to handle beer I dont care what excuses you come up with everyone know what will happen they will purchase alcohol for friends and now you have went from 18 and drinking to a bunch of sixteen and seventeen year olds having unlimited access to alcohol and you think that wont cause more accidents, deaths, or more alcohol poisoning cases the government puts restrictions on things to protect the whole country and our society. Yea I drank before I was 21 but I didnt do it cause i wasnt supposed to. If you really think about it how would you feel if you had to attend a funeral because some 18 year old kid was drunk and hit your family, or friend not only does that reduce the chance for that kid to grow up to be something but now

Posted by: Dan Location: Lincoln on Aug 19, 2008 at 01:29 PM
Against it...take your own advice and open your eyes. These parties are happening all around you. The only difference is that right now they are illegal. I admit I drank before I was 21, but once I was of age, it just wasn't a big deal anymore so I don't really drink that much. It's going to happen whether is legal or illegal. I think if you give them the option, most, not all but most, will eventually become more mature about it. And as far as more drunk driving...please, there are plenty of drunk drivers out there of any age. While I think this new law should be closely monitored, I'm all for it.

Posted by: Rebecca Location: Lincoln on Aug 19, 2008 at 01:07 PM
I don't think they should lower the age but increase it to 25. The brain isn't fully matured until 21 for most and I think 25 for some others.

Posted by: Ben Location: Lincoln on Aug 19, 2008 at 12:53 PM
The difference in fighting for your country and drinking is months of special training. You don't get that to drink. Oh, wait unless you get it from a parent that thinks it's ok to brake the law! Angie,Ken,Todd, Yes, lets put more inexperienced drivers on the road with alcohol in their blood! What you would get from this is more deadly fatal car crashes to them and innocent people!!!!! Duh? Nebraska has one of the highest death rate of teens from alcohol. N There is no draft now! It is a choice to in list and you know the risks.

Posted by: AGAINST IT Location: COLUMBUS on Aug 19, 2008 at 12:37 PM
If the drinking age gets lowered to 18, then we will have some high school kids drinking before school and getting away with it. If this happens we can expect lot more underage parties and accidents. Come on open your eyes.

Posted by: Kristina Location: Nebraska on Aug 19, 2008 at 11:59 AM
Actucally in nebraska the legal age is 19, which means that parents are responsible for their child and their actions until they are 19. you cant even rent in nebraska until you are 19.

Posted by: Angie Location: Crete on Aug 19, 2008 at 11:37 AM
I'm a mother and i think they should lower the drinking age to 18 also. The way i see it if your old enough to fight for our country and drink while your doing it then you should be able to drink off your base. Also you have adults out there drinking and driving also it don't matter what age you are it is how a person handles the situation.

Posted by: ken Location: lincoln on Aug 19, 2008 at 11:23 AM
I would like to know why you can die at 18 for your country but cant drink?????????

Posted by: Todd Location: Lincoln on Aug 19, 2008 at 11:21 AM
So an 18 year old can go to Iraq and die for his country, but he/she isn't responsible enough to drink beer??? Give me a break Connie.

Posted by: Bob Location: USA on Aug 19, 2008 at 11:08 AM
Please don't change the age!

Posted by: N Location: Lincoln on Aug 19, 2008 at 10:59 AM
I am not saying I am completely for lowering the drinking age but I see the point. Arn't they considered adults at 18 anyway? You can vote, be drafted, smoke, and participate in other adult activities. I am in my mid 20s and I drank before I was 21 but once I turned 21 I think I drank less because it was not that big of deal anymore. The only thing I would question is the maturity of 18 year olds. I have met some that should not be doing any adult activities let alone drink. It's a tough question because it is kind of a double standard to say they are mature enough to go die at war but not to have a beer.

Posted by: CONNIE on Aug 19, 2008 at 10:24 AM
LOWER THE DRINKING AGE???? WHY???? These teenage kids are getting enough to drink (alchol related that is)illegally, why lower the drinking age, so then can then get it legally and therefore drink more. Let's stop the teenage drinking. It is already out of hand. These teenagers are either killing themselves or others because of excessive drinking. Leave the legal drinking age at 21, they then are considered adults and can face their own out comes.

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