Lower Drinking Age? Options

[cnelson]

Not sure if this has already been brought up or not.. However I am bored, and have always thought that this was a good topic to debate on.


Recently I started my freshmen year at college. I'm going to Coastal Carolina University, if anyone lives around the Myrtle Beach area you probably know that nearly are whole football team was suspended due to alcohol related incidents. I have been a "legal" adult for over a year now. I just turned 19 a couple weeks ago. Being away at school my parents and myself both knew I was going to drink. I guess my family is very open and my parents trust me enough not to make any decisions to put myself or others at risk. I have been drinking probably since I was about 16.. Always socially, not by myself or anything like that. So lets say I am.. "Drinking Responsibly"

Now I, more than most probably understand the need for laws. I also understand the need for equality. Although I know no one can ever truly win this argument I believe that I have some good points that I would like to get off my chest..

We can start off with a few simple points. The whole.. "If I'm old enough to die for my country, be convicted for a crime, pay child support etc.. at 18, than why am I not old enough to drink?" This is probably the most influential point anyone can make.. Look if I can go fight a war, but I can't drink a damn beer. Someone has there facts mixed up, because last time I checked fighting a war is much more dangerous than drinking a beer, or even a few beers for that matter.

I know a lot of people think that teenagers are not responsible enough to drink, and do it with a adult manner. WRONG. A lot of people also think that teenagers don't care about drinking and driving. WRONG. The fact of the matter is, I am right in the crowd with these very people.. Of all the things I always see, the one I see most is.. Friends not letting another friend drive home because he's had to much to drink, or giving someone a ride home because you know there is no way you would want them to drive, or someone asking for a ride home because they know there is no way they should be driving.

My final point is simply this.. People are going to drink and drive at any age, 21, 31, 41, 51, 91. It doesn't make a difference. The only thing that makes a difference is if we are properly educated about the risks with drinking and drive. My message is, Stop throwing the issue under the table by saying teens aren't responsible enough. Start by educating people, teaching them that you can drink and still maintain a right state of mind.

I know there will always be people who disagree, and I'm sure there will be many people who do not like my comments, and people who agree with me. I would like to make a change, and although I am only one young person.. We are growing in numbers everyday. Right now politicians may be able to ignore us because we aren't the majority vote, However soon enough our voice will be heard and questions will not be able to be thrown away. One day we will have a common voice as young people, who can make a difference on any situation, not just the drinking age. Thanks for any comments you may have.

This post has been edited by cnelson: Dec 15, 2008 - 4:07 PM

[Taskbot]

Hmm I think the drinking age should be lowered. Well at least here. In my experience the legal age just means that minors here have to engage in somewhat illegal activities to get alcohol. I was certainly paying people to grab me a twixer (26er) of vodka when I was 17. At 18 people I knew were making frequent trips to Quebec, where you can buy at 18. So it doesn't seem to protect minors from getting alcohol, which is kind of the purpose of making it a law. Also, its actually easier to find drugs here as a minor than it is to find alcohol. Far easier. Actually its not really uncommon for you to walk outside of a door and find people in the middle of a session and inviting you to join. This is most certainly something to do with the city I live in, but its still pretty interesting. Lastly, no matter what age. The first two years of having alcohol availability from my experience are the years you will drink the heaviest. Up until a year ago, I was considered by definition and alcoholic in that I binge drank 12 or more times a year. I also used to be part of the LD50 club ( > 0.35 BAC). My friends and I would drink a twixer each and THEN go to a bar for 3 or 4 pitchers. Needless to say after experiences like that we've curbed our drinking habits. However most people aren't as extreme* as that and will drink a little more moderately and eventually drink less. Its also Canada so its generally more acceptable to binge drink and I'm almost certain we can handle alcohol better than most, by virtue of our culture.

* Btw by extreme, I think I am basing my definition of off one person I know, who ended up in emergency with 0.60 BAC. He wasn't there for Alcohol poisoning though, we was there because he got a concussion from falling off his porch. After he got back he slept for 3 days waking only to get food and water. It was kind of funny, I'm surprised he's still alive.