(August 19, 2008)—The presidents of about 100 of the best-known colleges and universities in the U.S. are calling on lawmakers to lower the drinking age from 21 to 18 because they say current laws actually encourage dangerous binge drinking on campus.
The movement, called the Amethyst Initiative, began recruiting college presidents more than a year ago to spark a national debate on the drinking age.
The school presidents are already facing sharp criticism.
Mothers Against Drunk Driving says lowering the drinking age would lead to more fatal car crashes and it’s urging parents to think twice about sending their children to colleges that take part in the effort.
MADD's president says the 21-year-old drinking age won't be enforced at those
campuses.
Among the schools represented in the initiatives are Duke, Dartmouth, Ohio State and Syracuse.
The president of Texas A & M University-West Texas is also among the signatories.
Amethyst Initiative Web Site