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Drinking age isn't working, chief says

But he doesn't urge merely lowering it

John C. Ensslin

Published March 7, 2008 at 12:30 a.m.

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Boulder Police Chief Mark Beckner says his experience as a chief, street cop and father have convinced him of one thing when it comes to setting the legal drinking age at 21 - it's not working.

"Why is it that we've changed the laws, we've increased the penalties, we're writing more tickets and yet the rate of drinking is increasing?" Beckner said Thursday.

Beckner's remarks came one day after proponents of keeping the legal limit at 21 expressed concern over the chief's appearance on an upcoming 60 Minutes segment on the drinking age. They say that lowering the age would result in more traffic deaths and lead to more underage drinking among high school students.

Initially, Beckner declined to discuss his views until the segment airs this spring. But he changed his mind after news of his 60 Minutes appearance was reported in the Rocky Mountain News.

Beckner stressed that his department is not backing off enforcement of existing laws.

Nor is he suggesting lawmakers simply lower the drinking age without taking steps to encourage responsible drinking.

For example, Beckner said the law could require an 18-year-old to attend a mandatory alcohol awareness class to earn the right to drink.

He suggested that perhaps the law could allow 18- to 21- year-olds to drink in a restaurant but not buy alcohol from package stores.

Any change would have to come on a national level, he said. His views do not represent any city policy, he said. He simply wanted to raise the issue. In addition to alerting the City Council to his 60 Minutes interview, he also let his fellow police chiefs know.

Greeley Police Chief Jerry Garner said, "I totally respect his view, but I don't think it would work in our city," which has the University of Northern Colorado. "We have too many problems that are connected to alcohol, both driving-related and creating disturbances."

Staffer Tony Trowbridge contributed to this report.

Comments

  • March 7, 2008

    9:59 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Diff writes:

    This is not only about teen driving and drinking!
    BUT...
    I think any minor (16-21)wether or not the drinking age would be lowered ( which is not going to happen!) who drinks and drives and is caught with ANY amount of BAC - should forfeit their drivers license until age 25! No exceptions, no restricted license etc. I think that would help to nip the drinking and driving problem in the bud! I also liked the idea a few years back,that of tying drivers licenses for those under 18 to still being in school or having graduated HS and having at least a passing GPA. This might encourage some kids to stay in and finish HS - and the kids who do and have at minimum a descent GPA are somewhat more likely to have a bit higher level of responsibility.
    That said after some thought I would support the lowering of the drinking age - at least for 3.2 beer, and in a controlled situattion like the "3.2 clubs" of years past. Allow limited hours of operation etc. If the the 18-21 year olds are going to drink anyway - better with-in some limits and controls than them sneaking around and guzzling JACK DANIELS until the cant stand up or puke. - at least with 3.2 beer before you get really drunk - your so full or sick that you drink no more and it can be a learning experience.
    I think this needs to at least considered and not automatically dismissed as a bad idea!
    I am sure the Zealots at MADD would never allow this to happen tho - and even for all the good MADD has done - they are Zealots and often of late go over the top.

  • March 7, 2008

    4:59 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    severin writes:

    If 18 year olds can be sent to Iraq, they should be allowed to drink. It is a double standard that is unjust and unfair. I don't think there is any other western country with a drinking age as high as ours (for instance Canada is 19).

  • March 7, 2008

    10:06 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    hmmm writes:

    Severin, If I remember my history right, that is what got the voting age reduced to 18 in the 1960s.

    21 doesn't work. Kids are not taught about the responsibility that goes with being "legal." They are let loose on the bars with no prior supervised experience, and no education about the effects of alcohol on the system. Abstinence only education doesn't work for preventing teen sex, and it doesn't work for preventing teen or college drinking either. America needs to get away from this idea that we must protect & insulate our children from everything, including their own mistakes.

    Granted, alcohol is dangerous to growing bodies - but the lack of exposure to it causes more problems in the teen & college years. We need to seriously look at the graduated system that many European countries have in place - 3.2 beer, light wines available to ages 12-15, mid-range proof alcohol available at 17, all alcohol available to 18 or 19. It works there, it could work here, if the puritans in control of legislation & regulation would open their minds to logic.

  • March 8, 2008

    10:49 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    mudshark writes:

    We should lower the drinking age. I hate the idea of having to share bar-space with 18 year olds, but let's be realistic. They are for all intents and purposes adults.

    Teach them that there are severe consequences of getting wasted and even potentially more severe consequences of getting behind the wheel after getting wasted and let them act as adults - if they don't, we already have remedies for that.