In response to the recent media focus on the 100 or so college and university presidents who have joined John McCardell’s Amethyst Initiative to study and discuss current underage drinking laws,   The Network Addressing Collegiate Alcohol Issues offers the following for consideration.
 
    Open, dispassionate discussion that fully considers all sound research and scientifically based evidence, and that prompts further research on the issue of alcohol related negative consequences has been and continues to be a component in the development of strong, effective prevention practices.

    The current drinking age laws and their enforcement are pieces of an environmental management strategy that has proven effective at reducing those negative consequences.

    The question is not “Will a change in the drinking age laws prevent the negative consequences associated with alcohol use among college students?” but rather “What is sound and effective prevention work that will reduce those negative consequences?”

For more information, go to:  http://www.higheredcenter.org/faq/108

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