As this is a college newspaper, chances are that our readers are familiar with underage alcohol use. As students, we have observed our peers completely disregard the fact that the minimum drinking age is 21. It is uncommon for an under-21 to refuse a drink solely because, “I’m too young; it’s illegal.” Though the drinking age is a law that is routinely ignored, it has a significant impact on alcohol consumption on college campuses. This regulation has encouraged a culture of underground drinking and disrespect for the law.
This drinking age of 21 is not federally mandated; however, the National Minimum Drinking Age Act denies states a portion of their funding for highways if they allow those younger than 21 to purchase alcoholic drinks. This is a controversial law, and many believe that there should be more open debate about whether it is working.
The Amethyst Initiative centers on a petition, already signed by the presidents of several higher education institutions, including those from highly recognized schools such as Duke University, Johns Hopkins University, and Tufts University. It calls for constructive, unimpeded debate about the National Minimum Drinking Age Act. Among the Initiative’s premises are that the legislation has “not resulted in significant behavioral change among our students” and that it encourages students to make “ethical compromises” by seeking out fake IDs. The Amethyst Initiative does not go as far as to call for a lower drinking age, but simply for an “an informed and dispassionate public debate” about its effects and a consideration of whether the reduction of 10 percent from states’ federal highway appropriation encourages or inhibits discussion.
We believe that this is a necessary goal; we are convinced that legislation has not resulted in anything productive, and, in fact, has caused some unhealthy practices and attitudes among our fellow students at RPI. Bearing this in mind, we urge President Shirley Ann Jackson to sign the statement and formally bring Rensselaer into the discussion emerging across college campuses nationwide.
