Pubdate: Sat, 30 Jun 2001
Source: Washington Times (DC)
Copyright: 2001 News World Communications, Inc
Contact:  http://www.washtimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/492
Author: Deforest Rathbone

Lowering Drinking Age Would Cause Disaster

How sad that a leader in the health field advocates such unhealthy policy 
as legalizing teen-age boozing ("Girls just want to have fun," Op-Ed, June 
21). On what planet was columnist Elizabeth Whelan, president of the 
American Council on Science and Health, when teens were allowed to drink 
during the 1970s?

When states lowered the drinking age to 18, teen alcohol-related traffic 
fatalities skyrocketed. Child alcoholism soared as then-legal teen boozers 
shared their alcohol with younger friends.

When the nation finally woke up to the tragedy wrought by that unfortunate 
policy, states returned the drinking age to 21 in the early 1980s. 
Subsequently, teen alcohol-related traffic fatalities dropped 
precipitously. Many lives have been saved each year since the more rational 
standard was restored.

Unfortunately, a residue of teen appetite for booze has remained, causing 
great damage to the teen population and their families. Parents such as the 
Bushes whose children get caught up in that dangerous teen-booze culture 
experience much anguish.

Lower the drinking age to authorize teen drinking again? America has been 
there and done that  and it was an unmitigated health and safety disaster. 
America learned its lesson the hard way, and it's not going to happen 
again. Case closed.

Deforest Rathbone
Chairman, National Institute of Citizen Anti-drug Policy (NICAP)
Great Falls
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MAP posted-by: Beth