Reasons consumption of alcohol among those age 18-20 should not be considered a crime:
1. It has already been decriminalized in D.C. as well as Maryland, and police are no longer allowed to make arrests for it. Why should kids who get busted elsewhere for doing the exact same thing be taken to jail and officially labeled as criminals?
2. The reason for the drinking is that the law does not consider individuals under 21 to be responsible enough to make decisions about alcohol, and therefore holding them fully criminally responsible is paradoxical. Why should kids in other states go to jail & suffer severe consequences including having their photos published right next to rapists and murderers?
3. Consumption of alcohol by college students does not directly harm or impose upon anyone else. Offenses such as DUI directly impose on others by making the roads a dangerous environment, but not the act of simply drinking. There is no reason for policemen to prowl through college dorms searching for students to arrest who have walked back home responsibly and are clearly not endangering anyone.
I will add more reasons to this list at a later time. If you have reasons to add, please post or send them!
Now here is an insightful article: http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2008/aug/22/alcohol.education
I agree with the author. It is time for lawmakers to face REALITY instead of indulging in a fantasy-like belief that drinking among college juniors, sophomores, and freshman can be prevented.
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