JMU is trying to solve part of the problem or do "its" part on the underage drinking trend going on in colleges. JMU has the "Three Strikes" policy. It specifically states that if a student is found responsible of 3 alcohol and/or drug violations during the individual's college career. The student may be suspended for a minimum of one semester. Students with major alcohol/ drug violations may be suspended prior to receiving three strikes. Is this effective? Is it solving the big problem of underage drinking on campuses and even the United States? I am in the middle on this particular subject; i feel like consequences like JMU's strike system would help and benefit the school a little, but it will not solve the problem or even severely fix it. Part of the thrill of underage drinking is teens and college students are restricted and hindered from drinking which causes them to want to partake in it even more. Did you ever hear of the saying, if you tell someone to stop what they are doing, its going to initiate them to do what they are doing even more. I know a few people who have received strikes and citations and although it serves as a warning, I see those same people out doing the very same thing that got them into trouble in the first place. The strike system causes the underage drinking to go even more underground where it can become uncontrollable. So is this really making a difference? If it is working and benefiting the school, why haven't other universities and colleges followed in JMU's footsteps. I know JMU has the reputation of a huge party school, but there are even larger colleges with the same dilemna maybe even worse. Would lowering the drinking age help this controversial issue on college campuses and across the US or is this an effective way of hindering drinking on college campuses?
http://www.jmu.edu/healthctr/swo/wm_library/Article5-2b.pdf
I feel that by lowering the drinking age the problem of underage drinking would be at leased decreased. The reason many college students drink is because of the thrill. The thrill that you might get caught, and the thrill you could get into serious trouble. By lowering the drinking age the thrill is practically eliminated. The National Institution of Alcohol states that "youth, three-fourths of 12th graders, more than two-thirds of 10th graders, and about two in every five 8th graders have consumed alcohol." From this quote it is obvious that just lowering the drinking age will not completely eliminate the issue. I feel that the government also needs to start implementing educational programs about alcohol for younger students. By educating them at a younger age it will inform them about the choice they are making, and the risks that come along with it.
ReplyDelete