What is the solution?

The proposal by John McCardell to enact drinking licenses for young adults is viable solution to the rampant lawbreaking and irresponsible binge drinking culture. McCardell’s organization, Choose Responsibility, has proposed a “multi-faceted approach that combines education, certification, and provisional licensing for 18-20 year-old high school graduates who choose to consume alcohol” (Proposal). 

How would a drinking license work?

As for the implementation of the drinking license, McCardell proposes, “licensing would work like drivers education — it would involve a permit, perhaps graduated, allowing the holder the privilege of purchasing, possessing and consuming alcohol” (McCardell). This is not to say that McCardell supports widespread drinking among young adult Americans: McCardell’s foundation, Amethyst Initiative, is “against intoxication but supports responsible, adult behavior toward alcohol” (College). Thus, McCardell has an ethical goal to support the safety and well-being of young adults, and his policy reflects his good intentions.

Click here to listen to a podcast featuring John McCardell to learn more about Amethyst Initiative.

What is the opposition to the solution?

Psychology professor Tamika C. B. Zapolski opposes lowering the drinking age, as she argues, “lowering the drinking age may lead to lowered perception of risk. When perception of risk from a particular substance decreases, prevalence rates tend to increase” (Zapolski). In response to this counterargument about the lowered perception of risk, McCardell’s education proposal adequately teaches young adults about the risks of alcohol; for that, Zapolski’s prediction of young adults’ “lowered perception of risk” of alcohol would be prevented by McCardell’s education programs.

What will alcohol education include?

McCardell proposes mandatory high school courses that teach the chemistry of alcohol and the consequences of abuse, as well as the requirement of sitting in on Alcoholic Anonymous sessions (Debate). Only after students pass a final exam would they receive a license to drink (Debate). Just as the violation of driving laws results in repercussions, if young adults violate the license, such as by providing alcohol to minors, their license is taken away.

Why will this system work?

McCardell’s proposal will promote mature consumption of alcohol and will allow for effective enforcement of the law. While some might argue that underage young adult Americans will respond by producing fake drinking licenses, McCardell’s proposal requires tough enforcement of the law and harsh consequences for violating the license. The stringency of the new drinking law will legitimize the drinking license and mitigate the use of fake IDs, which are the consequences of the lack of enforcement of the current drinking age law.