So most people would assume that the advocates for lowering the drinking age primarily consist of a bunch of underage kids who want easier access to booze. Okay, so they might be right. But there are objective, educated people out there who are on our side too!
The Amethyst Initiative is an organization that consists of chancellors and presidents from universities and colleges around the United States that advocate the lowering of the drinking age. They aren’t just random party schools either! These are reputable sources we’re talking about here: Duke, Johns Hopkins, and more. These college leaders have realized the risks of underage drinking and how it leads to binge drinking. Everyone knows (and I reiterate this constantly throughout this blog) that binge drinking is where the real danger of alcohol comes into play.
Here is where the Amethyst Initiative starts to get unique and interesting. Instead of just letting us run wild once the age is hypothetically dropped, they are proposing something that they consider vital in this process: alcohol education. People would have to take a test in order to get a license to drink, much like the drivers license. This way, teens are required to know the dangers and effects of alcohol.
I think is a pretty interesting approach to a solution for this problem, how about you?
Do you like organizations like this? Check out the ideas of a branch of The Amethyst Initiative, called Choose Responsibility.
I agree that the idea of of having an alcohol license not dissimilar to a license to drive is interesting. I am, however, curious over the implementation and effectiveness of such a measure.
ReplyDeleteI say this because if the pre-test and test processes are too simple or unmeaningful, their meanings may be lost on the student immediately after passing the course. Also, how should this license be policed? Does this mean that, like driving, the license can be revoked if the owner is found to have flouted certain rules? If so, what rules should nonetheless govern drinking behaviour and how may these laws be effectively enforced? Looking forward to reading your subsequent posts!
There isn't much follow up on this general idea, but I'm sure it could be tweaked accordingly if legislation agrees to it. As to your question of how it would work, I'm guessing it could possibly just be like when you provide your ID to the guy at the ABC counter. Instead of your driver's license, you would show him your drinking license. As for whether or not the content would have any value, once again that is up for alteration. I'm sure the government would regulate the specifications needed to pass the course, but it would be up to the teachers and books to make sure the class' content is worthwhile and meaningful to the kids.
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