College presidents from about 100 U.S. schools, including five schools in Virginia, are calling on lawmakers to promote discussion about changing the drinking age. Lowering the drinking age from 21 to 18 would reduce life-threatening binge drinking on campus, says the Amethyst Initiative, a group whose goal it is to promote debate on the topic.
The CT asked VCU students how they felt about changing the drinking age.
“If you look at other (nations), their drinking ages are lower; the kids learn about drinking sooner so, when they get older, it’s no big deal.”
–Remington Stein, Business Major
“I think they should change (the drinking age) to 18, because everybody is already drinking. I think people would drink less if they changed it to a lower age, because it’s less of a rebellious thing.”
–Kristiani Rivera, Undeclared
“You can do pretty much anything when you’re 18 – like serve in the military – so you should be able to (drink) too.”
–Hannah Folly, Biology Major
“(At 21), people are still too young, because they can’t control themselves when they drink. I think they should raise (the drinking age) to 25.”
–Yusef Al-Ghamdi, Business Major
“There are many studies about why 21 is a good age, because that’s when your brain stops developing. I think 21 is a good (drinking) age. I feel like it’s that way for a reason, and I don’t have a problem with it.”
–Amy Urban, Forensic Science Major