Questioning the Legal Drinking Age ... ?
The National Minimum Drinking Age Act of 1984 is up for renewal this year and there is a movement currently in the works, called The Amethyst Initiative, to lower the drinking age back to 18 years old. There are 130 signatures on the initiative, and all 130 of them are presidents and principals of colleges. We think this is a bad idea and wrote about it in a recent issue of the VC Reporter. You can read the opinion piece here.
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The higher drinking age saves approximately 1000 young lives per year. Read some of the research here.
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The brain is not fully developed until age 21 and alcohol has a negative impact on the developing brain. Although there are countless references to this that can be easily “Googled,” read one report here.
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Contrary to local perceptions, countries with lower drinking ages are not better off than the US in terms of the harmful consequences of youths' drinking. Related links:
Listening to the YOUTH VOICE on Community Policy
 On November 17, a Ventura Straight Up youth spokesperson appeared at a city council meeting to lend his voice to the argument against the newly-opened Target Store in the Pacific View Mall obtaining a license to sell alcohol. Brandon Freiberg (left) made an impassioned plea to Ventura City Council to uphold the Planning Commission’s decision not to allow alcohol sales at this location, stating that it’s too easy for teens to steal alcohol from a store like Target. Local youth also report obtaining alcohol by hanging out near a store and asking adults to purchase it for them. With the Target store being in close proximity to Anacapa Middle School, and situated in a shopping mall where teens tend to congregate anyway, allowing Target to sell alcohol would be a bad idea. The council ultimately voted against issuing Target the license.
Read Brandon’s personal account of the evening on the Straight Up Blog.
Reality Party for Parents Recap
The recent Reality Party for Parents at a private home in Ventura was a great success with over 100 parents and caring adults reserving spaces in the tours on Nov 15th. Thank you to the event sponsors, City Impact and to the hosts Jim and Kris Stock. Once again, parents’ eyes were opened when faced with the realities of a teen drinking party as it was re-enacted by Straight Up Youth, who also shared their advice to parents and suggestions for community change.
Straight Up is made possible through funding from Ventura County Behavioral Health Department Prevention Services. |