The Amethyst Initiative is a misguided campaign being waged by former Middlebury College president John McCardell to lower the minimum legal drinking age from 21 to 18. More than 100 college presidents have signed a petition asking for a debate on the matter. However, debate is unnecessary and those who signed-on should be ashamed of themselves. The scientific evidence overwhelmingly supports the higher drinking age. Apparently, these college presidents haven't bothered to do their homework. The deadly experiment of lowering the drinking age has already been tried and does not bear repeating. In the 1970s, 29 states lowered their legal drinking age to 18, 19, or 20, which caused a dramatic increase in traffic fatalities among youth. The effect was so severe, that by 1983, 16 states had reversed their decision and increased the drinking age back up to 21.
Since then numerous studies have shown that the higher drinking age has significantly reduced underage drinking, motor vehicle crashes, and alcohol related injuries and deaths among youth. Studies have shown that nearly 1,000 lives are saved each year and that underage drinking has fallen significantly among teenagers.
The evidence from around the world also supports the higher drinking age. One often cited argument is that of the "forbidden fruit" - that if young people in the US were introduced to alcohol at a younger age, this would foster responsible drinking. However, the data suggests the opposite - lower drinking ages is associated with more binge drinking. Of 35 European countries where the drinking age is either 16 or 18 only one (Turkey) has a lower rate of binge drinking among youth than in the US. Indeed, other countries such as Australia and Scotland are currently considering proposals to increase the age to 21, a fact you hardly hear anything about in the US media.
We certainly agree that underage drinking is a problem we need to continue addressing in the United States. However, rather than recklessly discard our highly effective and life-saving minimum legal drinking age, a more fruitful and valid discussion for college presidents to engage in would be what proven, science based policies could effectively supplement existing law, such as raising taxes and restricting youth access.
For more info, visit:
Mothers Against Drunk Driving
American Medical Association