WHAT 2 do about underage drinking [alcohol?]

Dr Nitin Mehta
MSc , PhD, FICN, Dip.Lib.Sc.,&Hosp.Admn.

In a recent TOI headlines, the reported age for legally drinking [alcohol] is likely to be reduced to 21 from 25 years But Delhites are not happy .They want the age limit at 18 years .In a society like ours where elders are still respected, what will be the scenario, even in the name of liberization of social norms. It is an open secret that, there is underage drinking, parents & the law, just ignore .This is a dangerous problem & we have to take a new look at what to do. Prohibition doesn’t work in all the states perfectly .illicit liquor flows & police become active when catastrophe occurs, few people die .Health implications are totally forgotten in name of instant pleasure.

If a [woman] female is old enough to sign a contract buy a house, car & have a driving license, isn’t she old enough to sip/toast champagne at her wedding? Well, for a [man], male is mature enough to serve in defense services, as soldiers considered old enough to patrol our nation’s borders, can’t have a farewell toast legally at their hometown. And didn’t have such debate at the time of fixing age for participation in general elections.? Are we handling this issue all wrong? More broadly, however, many will question whether a drinking age of 21 or 18 is a good idea at all –whether in simple terms, it creates more problems than it purports to solve.

It’s a bad social policy and bad law also, urge lower drinking ages in conjunction with education and heavy regulation of 18 to 20 year olds. This may not be practical in an atmosphere of people corrupting the society by the money power. & low moral standards to face the consequences Those who are choosing to drink –below the age of 21 – are drinking much more, and it’s done behind closed doors. Even the supporters will concede, that the age bar will be flouted & often, which is very rarely enforced. Pawan Gupta, a 12 std.student [New Delhi] also feels the same. This drinking is at unsupervised house parties [with tacit knowledge of seniors], and in those environment , the drinking can be dangerous especially when these youngsters have no practical experience with alcohol, yet years of exposure to a social and advertising culture that encourages drinking. There is no warning printed as we read on cigarette packs. Drinking pattern can be different with teenagers. There’s an minority still who can establish blood –alcohol level which turn out to be lethal .A practice known as “front loading’ & “pre-gaming” in American parlance, getting drunk on cheap liquor before the night is out , is perhaps common & alcoholic blackouts are no longer rare. Drunkenness also spawns other problems, from assaults [brawls], & rapes to car accidents, most important alcohol poisoning; this may turn out to be near fatal. Young adults when drinking illegally are reluctant to call for help when in a wrong situation .Drinking age – any 18 or 21 years, it will be almost ignored by youngsters, leading to disrespect law & elders in the society. How can we reduce the harm?, is fairly a good & pressing concern The young ones should be taught how to drink & how not to drink so that eventual disaster can be avoided. It is unlikely that underage drinking will be stopped as a whole in a country like ours where the society & law are hoodwinked. Only few countries restrict the purchase of drinks to those 21 or older, while in our country, prohibition is for only namesake in Gujarat.

A higher drinking age and reduction in drunk driving casualty may have some correlation if teenagers are excluded .Various factors contributed e.g. use of seat belts air bags in reduction of near fatal alcohol related accidents.

Even as the pros &cons about the age 21 or 18 will be debated for quite some time, what else be tried :.

1] Hold parent responsible?
2] Purchaser should pledge that he/she won’t offer to an underager to drink?
3] Educate the difference between moderate drinking & high risk consumption thus reducing dangerous binging? Health implications notwithstanding.

Till then, many like Aastha Joshis {New Delhi} will have to wait. for celebrating their marriage without toast of champagne.