Following up David M. Fahey's reference to the alcohol-free policies of
some of the fraternities at Miami University, and Ruth C. Engs' letter to
the Journal of Studies on Alcohol, in which she argues that the minimum
purchase age should be lowered to 19, do members of the discussion group
believe that this is likely to happen? and, if so, how? and why? By "why",
I don't mean why intelligent and thoughtful people might regard it as a
good thing that the minimum purchase and (in many states) drinking ages
should be lowered, but why legislators might think that such a move would
be worthy of their attention. Certainly, as Professor Engs says in her
letter, there is a widespread perception that the anti-alcohol movement has
peaked, and various elements of the industry are currently lobbying to have
the minimum purchase age lowered. But surely it will take more than the
efforts of the industry to achieve a change in the law? What else would
need to happen before the law could be changed to allow people under the
age of 21 to buy alcoholic drinks? And under whose aegis would this be most
likely to occur? Or would such speculation be not only unprofessional but
also pointless at this stage?