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Legislative News and Views - Rep. Phyllis Kahn (DFL)

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Lowering the Drinking Age

Friday, February 13, 2015

Dear Editor:

In response to the editorial by Tom Dennis opposing lowering the drinking age to 18 for on-sale purchases, I urge your readers to visit The Amethyst Initiative at www.theamethystinitiative.org.   There you will find a statement signed by 136 college presidents maintaining that it is time to rethink the drinking age.  When that many college presidents are saying that 21 isn’t working, it’s clear we need to reconsider our alcohol policies. 

As a legislator with three college campuses in my district, I have found strong support for this proposal.  As one of my co-authors remarked, it’s unconscionable that someone who risked their life in Iraq or Afghanistan can come home and not be allowed to have a beer with dinner.

Adults under 21 can vote, sign contracts, marry, and serve their country in the military.  It’s only fair that they be allowed to order a drink in a bar or restaurant.  The Amethyst Initiative and I believe we need to emphasize the dangers posed by the culture of binge drinking fostered by illegal consumption behind closed doors.  This culture leads to irresponsible behavior and violent acts such as date rape.

We can change our culture to one where responsible drinking in public is the norm, and the best way to do that is to lower the drinking age.  I stand firm in the belief that we need to continue this conversation and educate each other about the dangers posed by our current laws and culture of hidden binge drinking.

State Representative Phyllis Kahn

District 60B, Minneapolis