The age-old debate resurfaces, this time with unlikely advocates. Read this, from
Poynter's Al Tompkins:
"A hundred college presidents signed a petition saying lawmakers should consider whether the drinking age should be 18, not 21. They say that it would help combat binge drinking.
"Note that they didn't say Congress should lower the drinking age, just that we should have a big public kegger and debate it. OK, I made up the part about the kegger. "
Here's their logic, as reported by the
Associated Press:
- With one of the highest drinking age restrictions in the world, the United States encourages binge drinking by those under 21.
- Adults can vote, sign contracts, and serve on juries, but not drink a beer.
This story is of likely interest to your school community and would warrant careful coverage. You could do a simple Q&A with a guidance counselor, school administrator or youth health expert. Interview students, teachers, administrators, the school resource officer and others for their views and experiences. Even better, talk to recent graduates who are now in college and discover their experiences with students getting around the drinking age.
It's a debate worth covering.
Prohibition saves lives. There is no argument about this fact....
