CAMPUS

Lets Get Wasted!

The drinking age should not be changed outright. Simply changing the drinking age would cause a marked rise in the already out of control drunk driving rates, emergency room visits, and deaths caused by drinking.

It is a fact that most youth have consumed alcohol prior to reaching 21, but this does not make drinking acceptable. Americans are simply not doing enough as parents, teachers, and communities in educating our youth about destructive behaviors, of which drinking is a prime contender. While drinking in and of itself is not necessarily bad, it is the abuse of alcohol that needs to be fixed or certainly made better prior to a discussion of lowering the drinking age, potentially causing absolute pandemonium. While drinking on college campuses is of national concern, so is other substance abuse, most of which is potentially more harmful than alcohol. Having a couple drinks is not the big concern; however, binge drinking is becoming more prevalent and the enforcement usually occurs following the tragedy.

Lax enforcement of the law is really to blame for the amount of drinking on college campuses, and simply allowing it, is not going to solve the bad decision making with those who have not yet reached 21. The answer to this starts with educating youth about the effects and consequences of alcohol abuse, not changing the drinking age resulting in even more tragedy and irresponsible behavior before an attempt to educate has been made. You can’t always have your cake and eat it too – deal with it!