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Amethyst Initiative

The Baltimore County Commission for Women strongly opposes the Amethyst Initiative, made up of chancellors and presidents of universities and colleges across the United States that seek to debate their belief that the 21 year-old drinking age is not working as well as the public may think. They suggest that it is time for a serious debate among our elected representatives on whether current public policies are in line with current realities. 

The Commission is not in favor of lowering the drinking age from 21 to 18, nor do we see a need to discuss a change in the law. It is the Commission’s position that people under the age of 21 and many over that age are participating in dangerous drinking behaviors that put them and others at serious health and safety risks. We have not seen any substantive evidence that indicates otherwise. 

Colleges Facing Challenges

We understand the difficulty colleges face as they inherit underage drinking problems from students unwilling to obey the laws that exist to protect them but willing to participate in illegal underage drinking on campuses throughout the country. Lowering the drinking age to 18 will give immature young adults the opportunity to purchase and consume alcohol on and off campuses thus putting students at further risks.

Changing the law to accommodate those who refuse to obey the law does not solve the serious consequences of the excess use of alcohol among our young people, including binge drinking, driving under the influence of alcohol, increased number of reported sexual assaults and date rape, the early onset of alcoholism and, in some instances alcohol poisoning leading to the premature death of an unsuspecting victim.

We urge our College Presidents and Chancellors to reconsider their positions as stated in the Amethyst Initiative and search for other ways to alleviate this serious problem. We do, however, support their initiative to invite new ideas about the best way to prepare young adults to make responsible decisions about alcohol and encourage them to include parents, professionals and the community in these critical discussions.

Revised October 16, 2008