Amethyst Initiative

The Amethyst Initiative is an organization made up of U.S. college presidents and chancellors that in July 2008 launched a movement calling for the reconsideration of U.S. drinking age laws, particularly the minimum age of 21 as established nationally by the National Minimum Drinking Age Act of 1984. Initiated by John McCardell, founder of Choose Responsibility, the movement is currently supported by 129 college presidents who signed a statement proclaiming, "It’s time to rethink the drinking age". [cite web |url=http://www.amethystinitiative.org |title=Amethyst Initiative front page|format= |work= |accessdate=2008-08-26] The Associated Press cite web |url=http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jWXhmLxHPcv8q_iFiN7nLt7RP8CgD92L2IIO0 |title=College presidents seek debate on drinking age |format= |work= |accessdate=2008-08-19] The Amethyst Initiative is a project of Choose Responsibility. [cite web |url=http://blog.chooseresponsibility.org/cr-news/cr-announces-amethyst-initiative |title=Choose Responsibility announces Amethyst Initiative |format= |work= |accessdate=2008-08-26]

According to Greek and Roman legend, amethysts protected their owners from drunkenness.

Purpose

The Amethyst Initiative states that, in their experience as university presidents, they have observed, "Alcohol education that mandates abstinence as the only legal option has not resulted in significant constructive behavioral change among our students," and therefore they urge lawmakers "to invite new ideas about the best ways to prepare young adults to make responsible decisions about alcohol". [cite web |url=http://www.amethystinitiative.org/statement |title=Amethyst Initiative » Statement|format= |work= |accessdate=2008-08-26]

Gustavus Adolphus College President Jack R. Ohle said in a statement that the initiative is not about lowering the drinking age, but to open a debate on alcohol policies that affect young people and their choices about alcohol use. cquote|We need serious, sustained, unfettered debate about the drinking age and the reality of life on a college campus and how these two things are aligned. I signed the statement in hopes that it would encourage debate on our campus about the seriousness of drinking in general but more importantly the high-risk drinking that has become so common on college campuses today. As an educator, I feel a responsibility to encourage a discussion about responsibility. That responsibility rests with not only the students but with those of us who work to provide for their education, safety, and well being. We must engage in civil, informed, and dispassionate debate and consider all policy alternatives no matter how controversial. [cite web |url=http://gustavus.edu/news/4168 |title=Statement from President Ohle Regarding Amethyst Initiative | News Office - Gustavus Adolphus College |format= |work= |accessdate=2008-08-19]

Criticism

The initiative has been criticized by several groups and government and industry officials, including Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD). Joining MADD's criticism are other groups, including the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the American Medical Association, and the National Transportation Safety Board.cite web |url=http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/08-19-2008/0004869764&EDATE= |title=MADD press release: Some University Presidents Shirk Responsibility to Protect Students from Dangers of Underage Drinking |format= |work= |accessdate=2008-08-19]

A spokesman for the Governors Highway Safety Association told the "Washington Post" that university leaders "are really just punting on the issue and leaving the high school principals to deal with it." [ [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/08/20/AR2008082003626.html?sub=new "Lower drinking age is criticized"] (free registration required), "Washington Post", August 1, 2008] However, Amethyst Initiative's parent organization, Choose Responsibility, proposes that only high school graduates should be eligible. [cite web |url=http://www.chooseresponsibility.org/proposal |title=Choose Responsibility: drinking age proposals|format= |work= |accessdate=2008-08-26]

In a press release, MADD argues that lowering the drinking age would result in greater numbers of fatal automobile accidents, and that the presidents are "looking for an easy way out of an inconvenient problem" and "misrepresenting science". [cite web |url=http://www.madd.org/Article-Archive/2008/August/Article---Amethyst-Initiative-Underage-Drinking-Re.aspx |title= Mothers Against Drunk Driving - Amethyst Initiative Underage Drinking Response |format= |work= |accessdate=2008-08-19] Choose Responsibility argues that scientific evidence supports the Amethyst Initiative's views and goals [cite web |url=http://www.chooseresponsibility.org/article/view/17294/1/2638 |title=Legal Age 21 - National Minimum Drinking Age - FAQ with citations |format= |work= |accessdate=2008-08-26 cite web |url=http://www.chooseresponsibility.org/article/view/17305/1/2643 |title=Drinking and Culture: International Comparisons with citations |format= |work= |accessdate=2008-08-26 cite web |url=http://www.chooseresponsibility.org/article/view/17312/1/2648 |title=Drunken Driving Fatalities with citations|format= |work= |accessdate=2008-08-26] and refutes some of MADD's past claims. [cite web |url=http://www.chooseresponsibility.org/myths_realities_c/ |title=Myths and Realities about drinking with citations |format= |work= |accessdate=2008-08-26 cite web |url=http://www.chooseresponsibility.org/article/view/19785/1/2635/ |title=Not Convinced? |format= |work= |accessdate=2008-08-26]

ee also

*Alcohol consumption by youth in the United States
*Legal drinking age

References

External links

* [http://www.amethystinitiative.org/ Official Amethyst Initiative website]
* [http://www.amethystinitiative.org/signatories/ List of Signatories]
* [http://www.chicagotribune.com/features/health/chi-amethyst-initiative-080819-ht,0,5371910.story?track=rss "Amethyst Initiative unites educators in quest to lower drinking age"] , "Chicago Tribune", August 22, 2008
* [http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080822/BUSINESS/80822024 "BSU not interested in age 18 alcohol sales"] , "Indianapolis Star", August 20, 2008
* [http://media.www.technicianonline.com/media/storage/paper848/news/2008/08/22/News/Unc-System.Waiting.To.Decide.On.Amethyst.Initiative-3401457.shtml "UNC system waiting to decide on Amethyst Initiative"] , "The Technician", August 22, 2008
* [http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/22/us/22drinking.html?ref=education "2 Withdraw From Petition to Rethink Drinking Age"] , "New York Times", August 21, 2008
* [http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/california/la-me-drinking20-2008aug20,0,1651220.story "College leaders hope to renew debate on a lower drinking age"] , "Los Angeles Times, August 20, 2008
* [http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121928142497058879.html?mod=googlenews_wsj "Bid to reconsider drinking age taps unlikely source"] , "Wall Street Journal", August 21, 2008