Despite CDC recommendation against further liquor privatization, debate continues in WA

Backers of the latest liquor privatization initiative funded a paid-signature drive and turned in petitions today.   I-1183 is similar to two measures to privatize state liquor sales that failed last November. I-1105 was rejected by 63% of voters and I-1100 was tossed out by 53%.

In February, the federal Centers for Disease Control’s Task Force on Community Preventive Services recommended against further privatization of alcohol sales “based on strong evidence that privatization results in increased per capita alcohol consumption, a well-established proxy for excessive consumption.”

"Privatization may be associated with increased alcohol advertising, increases in the number of brands sold, and more lax enforcement of sales regulations, including enforcement of the minimum legal drinking age. In contrast, privatization also has generally been associated with an increase in the price of privatized beverages, which may be expected to lead to a decrease in consumption."

More about the legal drinking age

Members of the faculty of the University of Minnesota's School of Public Health recently wrote a commentary for CNN.com, Drinking age of 21 save lives.

From Reuters: Pressures mount as binge-drinking hits Italy. Another article busting the myth that European countries don't have a youth drinking problem.

Minimum legal drinking age studies

Here is the latest about keeping the minimum legal drinking age:

In a recent study, researchers examined the correlation between minimum legal age and rates of heavy drinking among college students in 22 countries. They concluded that a lower minimum drinking age is not a protective factor for decreasing heavy drinking among college students.

State Minimum Legal Drinking Age Laws and Impaired Driving Policies Save Lives, CADCA's September/October 2009 Research into Action paper.

A study finds more alcohol, drug abuse among those who could drink beer before 21.

Another study concludes that lowering the drinking age could affect the rate of unplanned pregnancies and pre-term births among young women.

So, if lowering the drinking age isn't the solution to teenage binge drinking, what is? Here are a two ideas:

Student Perceptions: Changing Perceptions Reduces Alcohol Misuse

Off-Campus Drinking Can be Curbed with Community's Help.

Legal drinking age electronic seminar

Free national electronic seminar . . .

Topic: Minimum Legal Drinking Age (MLDA) Liabilities: College Perspectives

Thursday, May 28
Noon Pacific Time

Lowering the MLDA law from age 21 to 18 continues to be a hot topic. Some college presidents believe that lowering the drinking age will help eliminate hazardous behaviors by their students, including binge drinking. Research clearly contradicts this premise, however.

This electronic seminar will include an expert panel of presenters who will discuss various liability issues, including social, economic, and legal effects of lowering the drinking age. In addition, participants will learn about resources that will support efforts to keep the drinking age of 21.

To register visit: www.udetc.org/audioconferenceregistration.asp.