Binge Drinking on College Campuses and the Minimum Legal Drinking Age

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Recommended: Effects of lowering the drinking age to 18

The problems of alcohol abuse in colleges and universities were first reported by Straus and Bacon over 50 years ago. Since then, many articles and scientific research on the topic have been conducted and published. Binge drinking among college students has been one of the biggest threats to campus life with numerous reports of alcohol related sexual assaults, personal injury, and even death. Many college administrators and health professionals have tried to develop alcohol prevention programs, however the problem still persists. Additionally, a radical solution to this problem suggested by some is to lower the minimum legal drinking age. The minimum legal drinking age, or MLDA, has been in debate since the end of Prohibition when nearly all the States created a minimum legal drinking age of 21 years old. In 1970, over half of the States lowered the minimum legal drinking age but raised it back to 21 years old in 1975. Since then there has been a constant debate on whether the minimum legal drinking age should be lowered. There are many reasons that support the minimum legal drinking age remaining 21 years old, such as the decrease in the percentage of fatal traffic accidents for teenagers since 1975 and other social ills, most importantly, the likelihood of binge drinking in college students than people above the age of 21. However, there are reasons that oppose the minimum legal drinking age remaining 21 years old and believe it would be beneficial if lowered. The reasons that support the minimum drinking age being lowered are teenagers become “adults” when they turn 18, gaining many rights and responsibilities like voting and joining the military, and it is believed that lowering the drinking age would teach young peo... ... middle of paper ... ...Education, 52(2), 3-8. Retrieved from EBSCOhost. Sheffield, F. D., Darkes, J., Del Boca, F. K., & Goldman, M. S. (2005). Binge Drinking and Alcohol-Related Problems Among Community College Students: Implications for Prevention Policy. Journal of American College Health, 54(3), 137-141. Retrieved from EBSCOhost. Stossel, J. (2008, September 8). Just who says the drinking age shouldn’t be lowered?. Fort Worth Business Press. p. 34. Retrieved from EBSCOhost. Wechsler, H., & Nelson, T. F. (2010). Will Increasing Alcohol Availability By Lowering the Minimum Legal Drinking Age Decrease Drinking and Related Consequences Among Youths?. American Journal of Public Health, 100(6), 986-992. Retrieved from EBSCOhost. Wheeler, R. (2010). Binge Drinking: Motives and Expectations in the College Population. National Social Science Journal, 33(2), 173-180. Retrieved from EBSCOhost.

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