Drinking Age. News.

[maxama10]

So as many of you heard or saw I'm assuming, educators from college campuses across the country want the legal age brought down. They say it will prevent binge drinking that is so prevalent in schools.


I tend to agree, I spent a while in europe and it is more often than not acceptable to have drinks at a very young age. This is also how I was raised, they did it so that when I was presented with large amounts of alcohol while on my own (as they knew I would), I would able to reason. I think most of you probably feel the same way.

Drunk driving seems to be a completely different thing over there, I got the feeling that it was NOT ACCEPTABLE in any way. Drunk driving rates seem to be lower. However, most teenagers also don't drive in comparison to their American counterparts.


I know lots of kids here who think it is fine to drive around buzzed.


What is it?

What do you think of the age?

[trevorjk]

Die, Vote, Smoke. why not drink?

[maxama10]

does seem a bit hypocritical doesn't it?

[bornl33t]

I just wish we could agree on the same solution to the gun problem. Add more guns to the problem and less people would die right?

Our government was not created to limit drinking, smoking, firearms etc. Mind you I agree that drinking and driving should be strictly regulated but it's not the governments place to place limits on these issues other wise. Even more so I dislike our movements solution to helping people who have lung cancer -because of smoking-, liver disease -because of drinking- and title 19 -because of stupidity-.... get my drift?
btw I do not drink or smoke...the stupid is still under investigation but I'm not on title 19 either so....

[neppo1345]

I think the immediate consequences would make them regret their decision.

In the short term, binge drinking will increase, especially with alcohol being legally available to high Schoolers.

However, if the country was able to accept the short term problems the long term pay-off would be worth it.

[maxama10]

hmm, good point, interesting.


hadn't thought of that I suppose

[sffudapparel]

A lot of people in high school drank because it was illegal and thus cool.

I would love to debate this issue with someone (a politician) but I highly doubt it'll be changed. IMO it's kinda like the speed limit - not many people really obey it anyway and most police are lenient on enforcing it. No one has ever gotten arrested for underage consumption at any party I've ever been at where the police show up. (including myself, just an open container ticket) Drinking is more of a cool thing when you're young rather than a social beverage like it is in northern Europe

I'd like to see stricter enforcement of drunk driving. That is what truly makes alcohol dangerous to themselves and others.

[Hilltop Customs]

theres too much funding gained by fines and forcing underage drinkiners through programs to reduce the drinking age. When I got my underage it ended up costing me slightly over $500. Now multiply that by 20 because thats how many other underage kids were also busted with me, and you will see what I'm talking about. $10,000 from 1 little party, how many underage parties do you think they bust a week on a college campus?

All in all, the law doesnt mean crap in preventing underage drinking, its just a way to make money off people who do it when they get caught.

[JesseB]

Alot more people drink in high school to get drunk than to be cool.

Although it is pretty dang cool to get drunk.


a lower drinking age should come after sensible marijuana laws and drug law reform in general. it should be one fail swoop so that Alcohol related deaths and accidents skyrocket and show the complete negativity of that drug as compared to pot or psychadelics.

Addictive stuff like crack, coke, meth, heroin, pcp, other dangerous type stuff is not cool but LSD, mescaline, and pot are all relatively neutral on the health and long term effects and it should be your choice as a free human being to experience these things in moderation.

[Hilltop Customs]

JesseB you forgot one of the most abused drugs in the US....prescriptions.

[SCpoloRicker]

loleurolosers

/why yes, I do tend to agree

[VVulfe]

Die, Vote, Smoke. why not drink?

This sums up where I stand on the issue.

[MikeRosenthal]

Alot more people drink in high school to get drunk than to be cool.

Although it is pretty dang cool to get drunk.


a lower drinking age should come after sensible marijuana laws and drug law reform in general. it should be one fail swoop so that Alcohol related deaths and accidents skyrocket and show the complete negativity of that drug as compared to pot or psychadelics.

Addictive stuff like crack, coke, meth, heroin, pcp, other dangerous type stuff is not cool but LSD, mescaline, and pot are all relatively neutral on the health and long term effects and it should be your choice as a free human being to experience these things in moderation.

I agree with most of your post. I can't agree with LSD however. Shrooms yes. LSD no. It definately can F' you up. ANd the difference between a small dose and a huge dose is rather hard to quantify until you take it. (Unless you have access to PURE LSD.. which is even more insane...)

[VVulfe]

I agree with most of your post. I can't agree with LSD however. Shrooms yes. LSD no. It definately can F' you up. ANd the difference between a small dose and a huge dose is rather hard to quantify until you take it. (Unless you have access to PURE LSD.. which is even more insane...)

There's an interesting argument I've heard for the legalization (with standard age restrictions, and DUI laws) of any drug that doesn't require synthesizing. So marijuana, shrooms, etc would be legal, but heroin, LSD and the like wouldn't.

I'm not necessarily a supporter, but I think it's an interesting concept.

[Lohman446]

but LSD, mescaline, and pot are all relatively neutral on the health and long term effects and it should be your choice as a free human being to experience these things in moderation.

I agree that government should have no business involved in these but I hope you don't honestly beleive they are "neutral" in regards to health.