Lobbying for the Legal Age by Maggie Swanson, Callaway County

This year there are many issues supported or opposed by lobbyists. Some include international aide, the environment, energy, and health care. Even more controversially and thus intriguing then these is the issue of the legal drinking age.
According to Alix Lewis of the Francis Howell North delegation, it is important to keep the drinking age at twenty-one. In her opinion, lowering the drinking age to eighteen would increase the deaths, and would not benefit anyone.
“Some [18 year old] people I know don’t have the maturity to drink,” said Lewis, concerning the drinking age, “Also, if you start drinking at a young age, it can cause life long alcohol dependence, which can hurt you.”
She is also a strong proponent of working to keep the underage sober. How though, does she believe this can be made possible? “I believe that if people were educated on what alcohol can do, they would stop doing it…If they only knew the damage it could do.”
In addition, she is a supporter of MADD: Mother’s Against Drunk Driving. When asked why she believes it is important for mother’s to be involved in this aspect of a child’s life, Alix had a strong opinion, “Mothers caring so much about their kids shows they want to look out for their kids.” She believes that mothers have a responsibility to care for their children.
“The drinking age is too old,” Said Trae Johnson of the Callaway delegation, “because you can fight for your country at eighteen, but you can’t drink alcohol.”
When asked why she believes this is, Lewis responded, “Protecting your country is very important, but it doesn’t entitle you to the benefits that other citizens aren’t awarded.” She then believes that the two are mutually exclusive.
To Lewis, education is the major problem, “Education is really important in this issue,” Lewis said, “If you aren’t educated, maybe you think nothing will happen to you, or that you will be perfectly fine. Some people don’t know the effect alcohol can have.” Showing how important she thinks this issue is, Lewis went so far as to say that a mandatory class should be offered in high schools, letting students know the negative effects of alcohol use.
Overall, this is a very important issue for all those in YIG. Lewis challenges all of those involved in YIG to get involved in this issue, “Learn more about the effects it can have on you,” she commented, “tell your friends, and if your friends go to parties, go with them and tell them drinking’s bad. Be the responsible one, keep them from drinking.”