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St. Cloud State University
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Commentary
Underage drinking not the only problem with alcohol
Published:
Tuesday, January 28, 2003
Ever since the inception of prohibition, it is quite clear that alcohol consumption cannot be stopped.
Moreover, it is more difficult to prohibit those who are not of legal age from consuming alcohol. It has been a prominent issue for several decades and is almost always an issue when dealing with college campuses.
However, the issue of underage drinking is much like prohibition in the 1920s: the more illegal an issue is, the higher interest many people may take in it. Young adults nationwide are interested in going to house parties, celebrating holidays and experimenting with alcohol -- and there is not much authorities can do about it.
Most importantly, the underage crowd is not the only crowd of alcohol consumers with which people should be concerned. They are not the only consumers that urinate in public, partake in violent, riotous activities and make decisions that could produce daunting repercussions.
There is too big a focus on underage drinkers, although it is true that the earlier that one starts drinking, the more brain damage that person is likely to experience. It is true that younger people may make less mature or less responsible decisions, based on the fact that they have experienced less in life. It is also true that underage drinking is illegal.
But everyone who consumes alcohol should be aware of the fact that they are killing brain cells, causing liver damage and decreasing their ability to make good decisions.
Alcohol has many repercussions with which everyone who consumes it must deal and that idea should be promoted more than anything. Trying to prevent minors from consuming will not necessarily decrease property damage, illegal behavior of many sorts or terrible hangovers.
What should be promoted is alcohol education and responsible consumption of it. Yes, underage drinking can be problematic; but many adults also make bad decisions and suffer consequences from the use of alcohol.
If everyone who drank was responsible and educated, age might not even be an issue.
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