August 22, 2008 01:30 PM
The Drinking Age Debate
In 1984, when I was a college student and young journalist, the National Minimum Drinking Age Act came along and required states to raise their minimum drinking age to 21 or lose highway funds. I remember writing an article on the topic for my university's newspaper, and I was a little surprised at the strong emotions I seemed to encounter as I interviewed people. (I knew it was a big deal, I just didn't expect people actually yelling and nearly flipping out when I asked for their opinions!) I interviewed a woman from MADD, student leaders, and many regular students, including a friend who was an officer at a large fraternity. Most raised excellent points, and I walked away from the article with a respect for all sides of the debate. But then again, the law didn't affect me personally, because I was 21 by the time the law was went into affect in Florida. I may even have been 22.
Now, 24 years later, the topic is in the headlines again. Although some, over the years, have criticized the higher drinking age and questioned its success, the debate is heating up right now, and those favoring a lower minimum drinking age are getting some influential backers: more than 100 U.S. college presidents. Check out
College presidents want lower drinking age - USATODAY.com, to read more on what's happening, and why these presidents are saying it is time to lower the age back to 18.
