Learners Permit for Underage Drinkers

In the past few weeks, there has been considerable discussion regarding the problem of college drinking and the use of alcohol by persons 18-21. The argument of availability leading to higher abuse potential vs. enforced prohibition leading to uncontrolled binge drinking is a conundrum that deserves to be discussed. I would like to propose a “learners permit for responsible drinking.”

At CARE, we treat persons over the age of 18. If enforced abstinence were the key, we should not be seeing anyone with an alcohol problem prior to their 21st birthday. I would remind the reader that drug use is also illegal; yet, we still have a fair share of our population using drugs. Addiction is a disease! Those with the genetic predisposition are likely to succumb to it. Most patients that I have interviewed over the past 40 plus years were abusing and even dependent far before their 18th birthday. Having made this statement, I wish to point out that these individuals are NOT the target of my discussion. Instead I wish to reflect on the “normal” adolescent and their use of alcohol.

College is perceived as a place to grow. Often in the mind of many young students, the college experience is a place to spread their wings and experience adult living. With the advent of co-ed dorms, privacy acts in which parents are not able to receive their children’s grades or talk to their teachers, etc. carries with it a new found freedom to “screw up”. The supervision at many dormitories is minimal. At many campuses, underage drinking policies are weak, non-existent and/or not enforced. Upper class resident hall managers, most of who are not in agreement with drinking bans, often will not report the underage drinker. The attitude frequently is “if you don’t cause a scene, we will all look the other way.” The real problem or rather solution is a change in culture, rather than a change in legislation.

Binge drinking, is often viewed as a passage into adulthood. Because alcohol is made difficult for this age group to obtain, they resort to false ID’s, older friends and acquaintances, to get alcohol. They purchase and consume large quantities often in small groups. The college drinking party is a common occurrence. Unfortunately, it is not only the college, but the high school party that becomes a problem. Communities seeking “keg” registration laws etc. show the frustration with this problem.

What is the magic between twenty years eleven months, thirty (or thirty one days depending on the month) twenty three hours and fifty nine minutes and twenty one years. For that matter is there a magic barrier that is crossed on one’s eighteenth birthday? These arbitrary ages mean very little! It is a person’s attitude toward drinking that will really make the change.

Mothers Against Drunk Drivers are opposed to lowering the drinking age. There is no question that availability increases abuse potential. On the other hand, it is this same group that was responsible for the change in cultural norms making it unacceptable to drink and drive. Many college presidents are rightfully comparing the current drinking age to prohibition. Unenforceable laws often create more damage than no law at all.

So you might ask, what is your opinion on lowering the drinking age? It is my contention that it really does not matter. What is required is a change in cultural attitudes. I am proposing a “learners permit” for underage drinkers. In order to obtain this special ID, the person would have to:

1. Attend an alcohol awareness program. This program would include information on alcohol addiction, dangers of binge drinking and especially the dangers of driving under the influence.
2. Create an individual safe drinking plan. This might include but not be limited to where and when drinking might be appropriate.
3. Parental approval of the privilege and parental and/or school right to revoke the privilege if it is abused.

This program would entitle the young person to purchase a limited amount of alcohol in certain specific circumstances. For example perhaps two drinks at a restaurant or club, a limited amount of beer etc.

In this way the young person could transition into adulthood.

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