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Watch VideoLocal college students react to lower drinking age proposal
Story By: Rachel Hoffenberg
Source: KOAA
Presidents from 100 universities in the U.S., including Colorado College, want the legal drinking age dropped from 21 to 18. They say current law unintentionally encourages binge drinking.
While some students agree the law should be changed to make drinking less exciting and appealing, others say it wouldn't change the problem of drinking on campus.
Colorado College senior, Skylor Powell, says the first year of college is filled with parties and drinking. "When you go to college, one thing you know you are going to do is drink. We'd get together before we went to a party, and then at the party. And then go somewhere after the party and drink. And there's kegs and liquor."
A documentary called "Haze" shows how easily drinking at college parties can get out of control. It’s the reason why university presidents from across the country, including Richard Celeste of Colorado College, the president of Duke and Dartmouth to name a few, say if drinking were legal, it would be less exciting. They’re asking that congress consider changing the current drinking laws.
Abby Block is over 21 years old. "You feel as though you're more mature. Yes, it isn't as exciting. But I can't say that you if change it right now to 18 years old, there's going to be that same maturity level."
Even though most college students are under 21, they say alcohol is easy to get. Some students say changing the laws still wouldn't change the intoxicating atmosphere of college. Adam State, a senior, says "Kids are going to be stupid as soon as they are away from home. And are going to drink themselves stupid as soon as they're away from home. It's unfortunate. But to be honest, I don't think it's a drinking age problem.”
The university presidents signed a statement, called the Amethyst Initiative, noting that while adults under 21 can vote and enlist in the military, they're told they're not mature enough to have a beer.
Mothers Against Drunk Driving say lowering the drinking age would lead to more fatal car crashes. They’re accusing the presidents of looking for an easy way out of an inconvenient problem.
