This summer a document known as the Amethyst Initiative was signed by the presidents of 120 colleges including the prestigious institutions of Duke and Dartmouth. The document calls upon lawmakers to re-examine the legal drinking age of 21 with hopes of it being lowered to 18. Many presidents express dissatisfaction that those under 21 participate in bring drinking, and find their hands on alcohol regardless of what the law states.

They believe that by lowering the drinking age to 18 they will reduce this behavior, and will destroy the concept that alcohol is bad and evil until you turn 21 when it becomes a socially acceptable part of your social life.

MADD is furious over this and wants to keep the drinking age where it is, as well as make the college be a nanny busting up more parties while the kids are away from school. MADD also is aiming to lower the legal limit to .04, and seems to be turning into a neo-prohibition movement.

Debate Question: What do you think of the Amethyst Initiative?