http://www.dailygazette.com

Quoted Text

Cutting drinking age to 18 might actually save lives

    I’m a senior at Scotia-Glenville High School, and I’m writing in favor of lowering the drinking age from 21 back to 18, where it used to be.
    I don’t [see why] an 18-year-old can serve in our country’s armed forces, but can’t consume an alcoholic beverage until he is 21.
    I think that lowering the drinking age from 21 to 18 will reduce a lot of drinking-related accidents that involve college students. There won’t be that thrill of breaking the law that college parties thrive on. I think this will greatly reduce alcohol-related accidents among teens and early 20-year-olds.
    I know it seems like it would be a freefor-all if the drinking age were lower, but I think that would only last a short period of time. Once people 18 and older realize they won’t get in trouble for drinking, they won’t drink as much. The law-breaking thrill will not be there.
    The drinking age used to be 18; why can’t we go back? I feel that many lives could be saved.
    THOMAS A. DORAZIO
    Scotia

I don't know one 18 yr old boy that HASN'T thought the exact same way ... till they turn 35 and realize how stupid they sound.

I don't know of any college kids who couldn't get their hands on any kind of alcohol. I didn't think there was a problem for them honestly.

I was 17 when they decided to up the drinking age to 21.......didn't matter to me........