Weekly Writing Assignment #8

Seattle Times opinion piece

Editor, The Times:

As a college student in her third year at Seattle University, I can attest the amount of over the top binge-drinking that goes on on college campuses as well as off-campus drinking soirees.

I can speak the most about the topic of lowering the drinking age from 21 to 18 because I am a student at a Jesuit university--where it may not exactly be a 'dry' campus but the consequences of getting caught with alcohol will have harsher punishments than any other campus (i.e. Washington State University or University of Washington). Along with the obvious legal reasons that comes with getting caught with underage drinking, the idea of getting caught by public safety is more terrifying to someone under 21 than getting arrested. There is a fear of getting kicked out of school or being suspended--a plethora of reasons that results in the student avoiding getting caught at all measures--even if it means making poor choices.

I can cite stories where the fear of getting caught has exponentially increased to the point where students do absurd things. Reports of a freshman year girl jumping out of the fourth floor of Campion residential dormitory because she didn't want to be caught drinking beer has been gossiped throughout campus. There are many stories like this and even more ridiculous and dangerous incidences like this that occur nationally.

The ex-president of Middlebury College in Vermont, John McCardell--who was infamous for starting the petition and the debate to lower the drinking age to 18; McCardell was able to get over 100 college presidents to sign the petition and he was speaking out on his own personal stance from witnessing what goes on college campuses.

The level of binge-drinking on campus has gone on long enough--it is time to either change with the times or to come up with a better plan on stopping excessive drinking.

We know that kids won't stop drinking, but we should find ways to control or supervise it as best as we can.

I can speak as someone that has seen and witnessed friends who were under 21 that have no control when it comes to alcohol--the idea of procuring free alcohol or drinking it as fast as possible just so they can achieve the stage of being drunk, is something that students view when it comes to alcohol--it is not simply for the enjoyment or social aspect--the whole purpose is to get drunk and get drunk fast.

Maybe lowering the drinking age isn't necessary the best answer, but I do think change needs to happen. Whether it is through more education or a license of some kind where kids can be supervised about alcohol... something needs to happen and soon before more deaths occur.