Sunday, June 8, 2008

Unintended Consequences

Public policy scholars speak of the unintended consequences of public policy, the solution of one problem can create others. The drinking age was raised from 18 to 21 as a way to deal with under aged drunk driving, but may have led to binge drinking on campus.

Here is a story about the occasional fatalities that occur when some try to down 21 shots to commemorate their 21st birthday.

Is this a product of a drinking age that is too high? When I was 21, drinking wasn't such a big deal since it hadn't been forbidden fruit for so long. Others point out that by being 18 and drinking in a bar, one is in an environment with far more supervision that exists in a keg party.