18 to drink in Mo.? Bad idea
Megan McClure
Issue date: 4/24/08 Section: Opinion
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Something sound funny? Right now, sure, but it may not be long before brew at the ballpark isn't out of the question for young college students.
Lawmakers in Missouri are currently discussing whether the state should lower the drinking age to 18. Missouri is one of four states debating a lower overall drinking age, while three other states are considering a lower age requirement for those in the military.
For Illinois residents, specifically those living along the Mississippi River, the Missouri proposal presents an interesting problem: if the measure were to become law, 18-to-20-year-old Illinoisans would need only hop the river to imbibe in alcoholic beverages.
Many college students drink illegally; this is no secret. However, with the drinking age being 21, most underage people who choose to drink opt to do so in a private home or apartment, often in their own community.
If Missouri lowers its drinking age to 18, the status quo will change. Instead of drinking at a friend's place, young college students will have the opportunity to travel into St. Louis, where they can drink at bars, restaurants and sporting events.
Then, instead of crashing on a friend's couch or calling a roommate for a ride, revelers from SIUE could possibly make the 30-plus-mile drive back home. Driving in St. Louis can be intimidating for new college students. Put a driver with only a few years' experience in a city they're unfamiliar with, and the results can be interesting; add alcohol to the equation, and we're talking Murphy's Law. If something can go wrong, it will.
Drinking laws should be the same across the board. We'll never be able to stop underage drinking, but we may as well keep it in our own state.
Viewing Comments 1 - 6 of 7
John
posted 4/24/08 @ 12:22 PM CST
This will never happen to begin with as long as federal highway funds are tied to the 21 drinking age. Missouri Department of Transportation can barely afford the projects it has, and cannot afford to lose any federal funds. (Continued…)
Jim
posted 4/27/08 @ 7:20 PM CST
Used to be 18 back in the 1970's. MADD helped mandate the 21-yr-old Federal law we have now. I get why it's now 21, high school students can not legally drink. (Continued…)
Benjamin J. Casebolt
posted 9/15/08 @ 12:44 PM CST
The real issues, at heart here are civil rights and liberty. Right now you are considered an adult at the age of eighteen; however, you are not afforded equal protection or application of the law. (Continued…)
Jessica
posted 9/16/08 @ 1:09 PM CST
My issue with this is that everyone seems to have a problem with lowering the drinking age to 18 ,but we are given so many other rights. We can vote which is so valuable although the person may be truly ignorant about the candidates. (Continued…)
mIsSouri mOvERs
posted 12/26/08 @ 2:59 PM CST
i don't think there's an issue with it at all i think that it all comes down to balance and responsibility, you can come across a 55 year who knows less about drinking responsibly than an 18 year old. (Continued…)
Jonny boy
posted 3/26/10 @ 10:22 AM CST
That would acctually by very good for Missouris economy. And believe it or not the governor said that federal funding only makes up 2% of missouri's highway budget. (Continued…)
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