The Amethyst Initiative

Brenden Duncombe-Smith

Almost everyone agrees that college drinking is a huge problem. An Associated Press study found that from 1999 to 2005 157 college students drank themselves to death. This, among many other statistics, paints a frightening picture of college drinking. Some believe that the problem may be a result of the 21 drinking age limit. The Amethyst Initiative is set on ending the debate. The Amethyst Initiative is a collection of around 100 chancellors and presidents of Universities dedicated to debating the 21 drinking age limit, however the underlying intent is to attempt to get the drinking age lowered to 18. Mothers Against Drunk Driving are worried that this would only lead to more alcohol related danger on campuses. George W. Dowdall, author of College Drinking: Reframing a Social Problem is "concerned that the movement places too much emphasis on the minimum drinking age, one factor among many shaping college drinking." . He is also worried that the Amethyst Initiative is disregarding studies and organizations that show that the drinking age works. However, no matter how the debates go or which side claims victory, the real question is whether or not the experiment is worth the risk. It is doubtful that any such conclusion to the debates will be decisive enough to prove that in no way will the safety of the newly legal drinkers be in jeopardy. It could, in fact, have an even worse effect and push binge drinking on kids under 18. Although the Amethyst Initiative's goal to make college safer by debating about the legal limit is noble, their efforts are misguided, and they should instead be focusing on other methods to end alcohol abuse on college campuses.