Reaching the ripe old age of twenty-one has lost its edge as the most anticipated birthday for underage drinkers. While underage party-goers stow bottles of vodka and cans of ‘Bud Light’ for late-night rendezvous at deafeningly loud house parties, cops unknowingly patrol the streets. The initial exposure to the forbidden substance alcohol has been said to lead to the undeniable thrill of the hunt wondering who is going to buy tonight, will our fake ID be confiscated, or will we able to sneak into the bar?
Whether we choose to believe it or not, alcohol is one of the most popular drugs of choice among the youth. Underage drinking has become one of those problems that seem impossible to eradicate for one very simple reason - young people love the thrill of doing something they are not allowed to do, especially if that something is equated with adulthood.
In 2005, about 10.8 million people from 12 to 20 years old reported drinking alcohol in the past month, and nearly 7.2 million called themselves "binge drinkers," according to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health.
But does that thrill of downing eight shots of tequila, three bottles of Heineken and who knows what else, extend to the highly anticipated 21st birthday?
Twenty-year-old sophomore Marc Punnette says no. He believes drinking alcohol is so easy to do and so accessible that turning twenty-one has lost its magic and really does not seem like a big deal anymore.
“I feel responsible enough to drink at my age so turning 21 is not something I’m really looking forward to. If you’re aware of the consequences of drinking, more power to you.”
Most college students count down the years, days and even hours before the big 2-1. But many underage SUNY Plattsburgh students share Marc’s view. They admitted to drinking in more dangerous places in order to avoid law enforcement. The pleasure one feels while consuming incredible amounts of alcohol in unsupervised settings, has a rebellious quality that drives underage drinking.
Nightly, SUNY Plattsburgh University Police respond to complaints citing loud music coming from pitch black college apartments and fraternity houses. They know the routine. Jam-packed basements with underage college students consuming alcohol before that dreaded knock from the cops. However, SUNY Plattsburgh UP officers have a problem documenting underage drinking at these houses because most of these party hosts are of age to consume alcohol.
Campus police, however, can only book underage drinkers in response to a call where illegal students are in possession of an open container of alcohol.
“Most students living off campus are twenty-one so our statistics are a bit skewed in terms of how many underage drinkers are in attendance at these parties,” said Jerry Lottie, Assistant Chief of University Police at SUNY Plattsburgh.
The college handbook states that “The Alcohol Policy of the College is in compliance with New York State Law, which prohibits the sale or giving of any alcoholic beverage to any person under the age of 21 and which prohibits the purchase of any alcoholic beverage or possession of, with intent to consume, any alcoholic beverage by any person under the age of 21,” but this rule is broken without authorities knowing.
Twenty-year-old junior Sasha Dow-Kitson says she gets a kick out of doing something “bad” without getting caught, adding a new dimension to underage consumption.
“It makes drinking more of an act than just a shot of the strongest vodka.”
Similarly, twenty-year-old junior Renice George agrees that drinking underage—even in excess—is culturally accepted and turning twenty-one has a “been there, done that” aftertaste.
“Most of my friends are 21 and I don’t see the fun in that. I think the risk factor will be completely gone.”
Turning twenty-one is such a rite of passage in America; however it has become an uneventful experience to say the least. The transition from illegal to legal is said to be synonymous with adulthood and signifies responsible use. This approach basically suggests that a large part of the appeal of drinking alcohol underage is because it is illegal.
Twenty-one-year-old sophomore Rory Wallace said that since reaching the legal drinking age, it is no longer fun and exciting to drink.
“It’s really boring for me now, so I’m kind of over it. It’s definitely not all it’s made out to be.”
Naturally, it is commonplace for people who are underage, especially college students, to naturally feel like they are missing out on a big social aspect of their college experience, and this notion has been instilled in them by all of their friends who are of age.
Twenty-one-year-old junior Rowena Remy says that the “buzz” in sneaking around those who forbid alcohol was her main reason for drinking before she turned 21.
“Since I turned 21, I only have a social desire to drink. I think the thrill decreases with age. When you’re legal, you can’t overindulge, it’s just so…blah.”
Contrary to popular belief, not every twenty-one-year-old is taking advantage of their newly found freedom. For some, their reason for drinking is not for thrill purposes but simply because they want a drink. Of course, underage students still drink and some even drink in bars; but one student said it is far less nerve-racking and a lot more entertaining to go to a bar legally, not having to worry about being caught.
Twenty-one-year-old junior Ebony Brown asserts that underage drinking is inevitable despite numerous attempts to raise awareness of alcohol’s damning effects if abused.
“A lot of underage drinkers drink because it’s restricted and there is an excitement that comes with the idea of not getting caught but that wasn’t very intriguing for me. I don’t run around like I’m crazy when I drink, I enjoy a drink in the company of my friends.”
However, most underage drinkers argue that alcohol is already accessible to those who want it, and putting a higher age restriction only makes it more appealing. Once a prided milestone with much power, the twenty-first birthday is now just another year of Monday night Chug-a-mug and Thirsty Thursdays for college students. Underage drinkers consume alcohol because it is the “forbidden fruit” and it is usually the sweetest because it is forbidden.
Credit: Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD)
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