Sep 6, 2008

ON COLLEGE: University leaders talk drinking age

By Jason Katz / Daily News columnist

Q: I have heard that some college presidents are calling for a debate about whether the drinking age in the U.S. should be lowered to 18. Is there a person or group opposed to this idea and what are the key issues?

A: It is true that a group of over 100 college presidents and chancellors from some of the nation's most well-respected institutions of higher learning, including Dartmouth, Duke and Middlebury, have formed a group called the Amethyst Initiative in order to start a discussion about whether the drinking age should be reduced to 18.

They claim the current drinking age, 21, encourages dangerous binge drinking among college students. In order to further answer your question, I interviewed Silas Miers, Program Coordinator at the Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) California Charter Office.

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Jason Katz: What would you say to the college presidents and chancellors who are urging a new discussion about lowering the drinking age to 18?

Silas Miers: Lowering the drinking age passes the already big problem to those in the high school community already dealing with very serious underage drinking issues.

JK: Do you believe the current 21-year-old drinking age will be enforced at the schools whose presidents and chancellors are members of the Amethyst Initiative? Why or why not?

SM: We believe that parents should seriously consider whether those colleges will actively enforce the current drinking laws, and whether those schools will attempt to provide innovative programs to combat underage drinking. The need for strong role models is critical if we are to stop this irresponsible behavior. Everyone will benefit if we can save lives, keep everyone safe and lower the monetary impact of such reckless behavior.

JK: Are there statistics that relate drinking age to the number of drunken driving deaths?

SM: An estimated 25,000 lives have been saved by the 21 Minimum Legal Drinking Age. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates the 21 MLDA has reduced traffic fatalities involving drivers 18 to 20 years old by 13 percent and has saved an estimated 25,509 lives since 1975.

JK: How would you propose to lessen alcohol abuse by college students?

SM: Underage drinking is an adult problem and, more specifically, parents play a key role in educating their children well before peer pressure begins. Colleges also need to be more active by implementing strong enforcement efforts of underage drinking laws. Being a party school destination is not something to be proud of.

Jason Katz is an independent college counselor and is founder of JKatz College Counseling in Redwood City. E-mail Katz at jkatz@jkatzcollegecounseling.com.