Amethyst Initiative: Difference between revisions
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==Purpose== |
==Purpose== |
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The Amethyst Initiative states that, in their experience as university presidents, they have observed, "Alcohol education that mandates [[abstinence]] as the only legal option has not resulted in significant constructive behavioral change among our students," and therefore they urge lawmakers "to invite new ideas about the best ways to prepare young adults to make responsible decisions about alcohol".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.amethystinitiative.org/statement |title=Amethyst Initiative » Statement|format= |work= |accessdate=2008-08-26}}</ref> |
The Amethyst Initiative states that, in their experience as university presidents, they have observed, "Alcohol education that mandates [[abstinence]] as the only legal option has not resulted in significant constructive behavioral change among our students," and therefore they urge lawmakers "to invite new ideas about the best ways to prepare young adults to make responsible decisions about alcohol".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.amethystinitiative.org/statement |title=Amethyst Initiative » Statement|format= |work= |accessdate=2008-08-26}}</ref> It has been suggested that young adults who want the right to drink should be given the right but they should have to follow a similar process as when they want the right to drive. 18-20 year olds should have to pass a 6 week alcohol education course and then be given a liscense to drink. This way they are informed on the dangers of alcohol and aware of the importance of drinking responsibly and if they choose to drink irrespensibly and get themselves in trouble, it was not out of ignorance and they'll have to face the consequences, which in most cases would be having their liscense suspended for a certain period of time. |
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[[Gustavus Adolphus College]] President Jack R. Ohle said in a statement that the initiative is not about lowering the drinking age, but to open a debate on alcohol policies that affect young people and their choices about alcohol use. {{cquote|We need serious, sustained, unfettered debate about the drinking age and the reality of life on a college campus and how these two things are aligned. I signed the statement in hopes that it would encourage debate on our campus about the seriousness of drinking in general but more importantly the high-risk drinking that has become so common on college campuses today. As an educator, I feel a responsibility to encourage a discussion about responsibility. That responsibility rests with not only the students but with those of us who work to provide for their education, safety, and well being. We must engage in civil, informed, and dispassionate debate and consider all policy alternatives no matter how controversial.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://gustavus.edu/news/4168 |title=Statement from President Ohle Regarding Amethyst Initiative | News Office - Gustavus Adolphus College |format= |work= |accessdate=2008-08-19}}</ref>}} |
[[Gustavus Adolphus College]] President Jack R. Ohle said in a statement that the initiative is not about lowering the drinking age, but to open a debate on alcohol policies that affect young people and their choices about alcohol use. {{cquote|We need serious, sustained, unfettered debate about the drinking age and the reality of life on a college campus and how these two things are aligned. I signed the statement in hopes that it would encourage debate on our campus about the seriousness of drinking in general but more importantly the high-risk drinking that has become so common on college campuses today. As an educator, I feel a responsibility to encourage a discussion about responsibility. That responsibility rests with not only the students but with those of us who work to provide for their education, safety, and well being. We must engage in civil, informed, and dispassionate debate and consider all policy alternatives no matter how controversial.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://gustavus.edu/news/4168 |title=Statement from President Ohle Regarding Amethyst Initiative | News Office - Gustavus Adolphus College |format= |work= |accessdate=2008-08-19}}</ref>}} |
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Revision as of 14:28, 22 September 2009
The Amethyst Initiative is an organization made up of U.S. college presidents and chancellors that in July 2008 launched a movement calling for the reconsideration of U.S. drinking age laws, particularly the minimum age of 21 as established nationally by the National Minimum Drinking Age Act of 1984. Initiated by John McCardell, founder of Choose Responsibility, the movement is currently supported by 135 college presidents who signed a statement proclaiming, "It’s time to rethink the drinking age".[1][2] The Amethyst Initiative is a project of Choose Responsibility.[3]
According to Greek and Roman legend, amethysts protected their owners from drunkenness.
Purpose
The Amethyst Initiative states that, in their experience as university presidents, they have observed, "Alcohol education that mandates abstinence as the only legal option has not resulted in significant constructive behavioral change among our students," and therefore they urge lawmakers "to invite new ideas about the best ways to prepare young adults to make responsible decisions about alcohol".[4] It has been suggested that young adults who want the right to drink should be given the right but they should have to follow a similar process as when they want the right to drive. 18-20 year olds should have to pass a 6 week alcohol education course and then be given a liscense to drink. This way they are informed on the dangers of alcohol and aware of the importance of drinking responsibly and if they choose to drink irrespensibly and get themselves in trouble, it was not out of ignorance and they'll have to face the consequences, which in most cases would be having their liscense suspended for a certain period of time.
Gustavus Adolphus College President Jack R. Ohle said in a statement that the initiative is not about lowering the drinking age, but to open a debate on alcohol policies that affect young people and their choices about alcohol use.
We need serious, sustained, unfettered debate about the drinking age and the reality of life on a college campus and how these two things are aligned. I signed the statement in hopes that it would encourage debate on our campus about the seriousness of drinking in general but more importantly the high-risk drinking that has become so common on college campuses today. As an educator, I feel a responsibility to encourage a discussion about responsibility. That responsibility rests with not only the students but with those of us who work to provide for their education, safety, and well being. We must engage in civil, informed, and dispassionate debate and consider all policy alternatives no matter how controversial.[5]
Criticism
The initiative has been criticized by several groups and government and industry officials, including Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD). Joining MADD's criticism are other groups, including the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the American Medical Association, and the National Transportation Safety Board.[6]
A spokesman for the Governors Highway Safety Association told the Washington Post that university leaders "are really just punting on the issue and leaving the high school principals to deal with it."[7] However, Amethyst Initiative's parent organization, Choose Responsibility, proposes that only high school graduates should be eligible.[8]
In a press release, MADD argues that lowering the drinking age would result in greater numbers of fatal automobile accidents, and that the presidents are "looking for an easy way out of an inconvenient problem" and "misrepresenting science."[6][9] Choose Responsibility argues that scientific evidence supports the Amethyst Initiative's views and goals[10] and refutes some of MADD's past claims.[11]
In November 2008, the Student Senate at the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse rejected a proposal to urge that university's chancellor to sign the Amethyst Initiative."[12] Supposedly the first such attempt by a student body to ask a president or chancellor to sign on, the measure at UW–L was defeated 14-19 after three weeks' debate. Chancellor Joe Gow said this vote, "certainly defies the 'conventional wisdom' regarding young people being eager to lower the drinking age." "[13]
See also
References
- ^ "Amethyst Initiative front page". Retrieved 2008-08-26.
- ^ The Associated Press "College presidents seek debate on drinking age". Retrieved 2008-08-19.
- ^ "Choose Responsibility announces Amethyst Initiative". Retrieved 2008-08-26.
- ^ "Amethyst Initiative » Statement". Retrieved 2008-08-26.
- ^ "Statement from President Ohle Regarding Amethyst Initiative". Retrieved 2008-08-19.
{{cite web}}: Text "News Office - Gustavus Adolphus College" ignored (help) - ^ a b "MADD press release: Some University Presidents Shirk Responsibility to Protect Students from Dangers of Underage Drinking". Retrieved 2008-08-19.
- ^ "Lower drinking age is criticized" (free registration required), Washington Post, August 1, 2008
- ^ "Choose Responsibility: drinking age proposals". Retrieved 2008-08-26.
- ^ "Mothers Against Drunk Driving - Amethyst Initiative Underage Drinking Response". Retrieved 2008-08-19.
- ^ "Legal Age 21 - National Minimum Drinking Age - FAQ with citations". Retrieved 2008-08-26.
"Drinking and Culture: International Comparisons with citations". Retrieved 2008-08-26.
"Drunken Driving Fatalities with citations". Retrieved 2008-08-26. - ^ "Myths and Realities about drinking with citations". Retrieved 2008-08-26.
"Not Convinced?". Retrieved 2008-08-26. - ^ "UW–L students say no to drinking age debate,La Crosse Tribune, Retrieved on 2008-12-15
- ^ "Amethyst Initiative debate finally over,The Racquet, Retrieved on 2008-12-15
External links
- Official Amethyst Initiative website
- List of Signatories
- "Amethyst Initiative unites educators in quest to lower drinking age", Chicago Tribune, August 22, 2008
- "BSU not interested in age 18 alcohol sales", Indianapolis Star, August 20, 2008
- "UNC system waiting to decide on Amethyst Initiative", The Technician, August 22, 2008
- "2 Withdraw From Petition to Rethink Drinking Age", New York Times, August 21, 2008
- "College leaders hope to renew debate on a lower drinking age", Los Angeles Times, August 20, 2008
- "Bid to reconsider drinking age taps unlikely source", Wall Street Journal, August 21, 2008