DRINKING AGE SHOULD STAY A 'RESPECTFUL' 21

Saturday, April 2, 2005

More than 20 years ago, Congress passed a law declaring that any state that did not raise the legal age for drinking to 21 would lose most of its share of federal highway dollars.

Until then, some states had allowed youths to drink at 18. The potential loss of federal funds quickly changed that. The legal age to drink is now 21 nationwide.

It is impossible to count the number of lives that have been saved as a result of this legislation. The total undoubtedly is in the thousands.

No responsible adult would seek to undo this life-saving legislation, but that has not deterred an organization called the National Youth Rights Association, based in Washington, D.C., to begin a campaign to persuade Vermont legislators to lower the age to 18.

"We think the drinking age of 21 is terribly disrespectful of young people in Vermont, all of whom can vote, can marry, they pay taxes, they serve in the military," said Alex Koroknay-Palicz, 23, the president of the organization.

Koroknay-Palicz is too young to remember that they also die in disproportionate numbers when they are allowed to consume alcoholic beverages.

When 18-year-olds were allowed to drink, there was more booze in high schools. Eighteen-year-old seniors bought liquor for 15-year-old sophomores.

When some states allowed teen drinking and others did not, the roads between them became kill zones as youths crossed borders seeking beer.

Vermont legislators should reject this dangerous proposal before it gains even the slightest momentum.

The last thing Maine needs is Koroknay-Palicz bringing his campaign here.