Should Drinking Age Change to 18?-Erika Lathon

The legal age to drink alcohol is 21, but some believe it is a privilege that should be extended to those as young as 18.

Surprisingly, the debate is getting support from some of the nations top University presidents, including Duke and Ohio State.

Those who support a younger drinking age say it will curb binge drinking.

But opponents say it will lead to more fatal traffic crashes.

MADD Director Laura Dial says, "All the evidence, all the research we have supports 21 law and supports this law saves lives."

While Mother's Against Drunk Driving supports keeping the legal drinking age at 21, a national movement called the Amethyst Initiative wants the drinking age lowered to 18.

So far, 100 presidents from some of the nations leading colleges and universities have signed on in support.

We asked students at MTSU for their opinions.

Junior Kendall Chaney says, "Not so much a good thing. I think it would be a lot of fun, and pretty cool but the bad part of it is less study and more party. It would be legal and no reason not to."

Junior Daniel Sullivan says, "I think it would be a great idea to be honest with you but along with it should come some more rules and regulations."

Those who support lowering the drinking age say it will help curb binge drinking.

Mothers Against Drunk Driving says just the opposite is true.

Dial says, "We kind of feel that's a cop out, the easy way out. All my students are legal to drink so I don't have to worry about much."

While the national debate continues, it's clear those who might be impacted most have mixed views about when it's legal to start drinking.

Sophomore Arash Kashea says, "When a person can go die for his country then should be able to drink a beer with friends."

Freshman Brittany Bell says, "I think should leave it at 21 because its bad enough. Underage kids are still trying to drink now with it being 21. Making it 18 probably make the situation even worse. I think they should leave it at 21."

So far only two Tennessee schools have signed on in support of the Amethyst Initiative-they are Sewanee University of the South and Rhodes College in Memphis.



Should Drinking Age Change to 18?-Erika Lathon