John M. McCardell, Jr. Director of Choose Responsibility President Emeritus of Middlebury College

Johnny Appleseed . . . Imperfection . . . Forbidden fruit. Alcohol is a reality Prohibition Doesn’t Work (decrease Use not Abuse)

The Moral Thermometer An Inquiry into the Effects of Spirituous Liquors on the Human Body and the Mind (Benjamin Rush, 1790)

Total alcohol-related fatalities, 1982-2006 Drinking and Driving has decreased since the early 1980’s . . . Before the law was changed (The Y axis is Alcohol-related fatalities per 100 million vehicle miles traveled) (Data from NHTSA 2003)

Alcohol-Related Traffic Fatalities That decrease was not exclusive to underage drinkers. All age groups’ fatality rates declined Primarily: 16-20 and 21-29. Why would drinking age decrease 21-29? Other explanations . . . (Hingson & Winter 2003)

Estimated number of lives saved per year by use of restraints and drinking age, 1975-2005 Seatbelts and Air Bags OTHERS: Other Safety Features Designated Drivers Public Education about the danger of drinking and driving Better Enforcement Harsher Penalties . . .population change (Data from NHTSA 2005)

Population change and drunken driving fatalities, 1982-2004 There need not be a 56% decrease in population to explain the change in fatalities seen in the 16-20 population. The population change need only account for that change in fatalities that were above and beyond those seen in the other age groups (21-29). (Data from NHTSA 2005 and Bureau of Census Population Estimates)

Binge Drinking 56% increase in binge drinking between 1993 and 2001 by 18-20 year-olds (1) More than 90% of all alcohol consumed by underage drinkers is consumed during binge drinking (2) Over 1000 lives of 18-24 year-olds are lost annually to alcohol off the highways, a figure that has been increasing since 1998 (3) Use v. Abuse 2/1000 1 (Naimi et al. 2003) 2 (Institutes of Medicine 2003) 3 (Hingson et al. 2005)

By law, at age 18 you are mature enough to . . . Enlist or be drafted, risking your life for our nation Marry, adopt children, and be a legal guardian Open a bank account, go into debt, own property, sue or be sued Vote, and seek or hold public office Purchase firearms Smoke, buy lottery tickets, and gamble Enter into a legally binding contract At age 18 you are legally accountable for your actions. You must have a choice.

The 21 year-old drinking age is anti-family. Where families introduce their children to alcohol early and responsibly, there are lower rates of drinking problems (binge, drunk driving) later in life.

The 21 year-old drinking age is anti-family In only the Purple and Red States (11/50) does a family exception exist.

Congressional waiver of highway funds incentive Our Proposal Congressional waiver of highway funds incentive Allow for the consumption of alcohol with parents beginning at age 18 After high school, young adults may take an alcohol education course that grants a license to purchase, possess, and consume alcohol Any violation of the state’s alcohol laws would result in the revocation of the alcohol license, or the opportunity to apply for license for those under 18 Cut down if you want.

References Alcohol Policy Information System. (2006). Underage Consumption of Alcohol. http://www.alcoholpolicy.niaaa.nih.gov/index.asp?SEC={0D5C719E-FCE8-4E15-A367-4145C655505F}&Type=BAS_APIS Hingson, R. & Winter, M. (2003). Epidemiology and Consequences of Drinking and Driving. Bethesda: National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism of the National Institute of Health. Hingson, R., Hereen, T., Winter, M., Weschler, H. (2005). Magnitude of alcohol related mortality and morbidity among US college students ages 18-24: Changes from 1998 to 2001. Annual Review of Public Health, (26), 259-279. Institutes of Medicine. (2003). Reducing Underage Drinking: A Collective Responsibility. Washington: National Academies Press. Naimi, T.S., Brewer, R.D., Mokdad, A., Denny, C., Serdula, M., & Marks, J.S. (2003). Binge drinking among U.S. Adults. Journal of the American Medical Association, 289(1), 70-75. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (2005). Traffic safety facts: 2004 Data (DOT HS 809 905). Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Transportation. Retrieved May 1, 2006, from: http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/pdf/nrd-30/NCSA/TSF2004/809905.pdf Kobler, J. (1973). Ardent Spirits: The Origins of the American Temperance Movement. New York: De Cappo Press. (Benjamin Rush’s Moral Thermometer) Runge, J.W. (2003, October 21). Impaired driving in the US: Progress and research needs. Washington DC: U.S. Department of Transportation, National Highway Transportation Safety Administration.