Spring Break
The problem with American drinking laws
Cate Hardy
Issue date: 11/3/09 Section: Forum
In the U.S., it seems that Europe is considered an ideal travel destination for two reasons: firstly the promise of attractive Europeans (a myth I'm afraid to dispel), and secondly the lure of being able to buy alcohol. While it's true that the drinking age in Europe is officially 18, on the continent it's actually possible to buy alcohol at a much younger age.
Having just experienced my first American college Halloween, it seems laughable, however, that the drinking age here is anything of an obstacle. If everyone I saw stumbling down Greek Row on Saturday night was over 21, then OSU has been doing some very speedy recruitment of seniors.
Being over 21 myself, the sense of obligation to supply those younger than you with alcohol is immense, and, while I have to fear deportation if caught, it seems for the most part supplying alcohol to minors is an overlooked crime here.
In Oregon, the penalty for a first-time offense is $350. While this is a sizeable sum, I have yet to hear of its actually enforcement - it seems to be more of a threat than a real penalty. 17 to 20 percent of alcohol sold in the state is to supply underage drinkers.
Having read a few editions of ''Police Beat'' now, it also seems the dreaded ''Minor in Possession'' is a rarity, reserved only for the smallest minority of underage drunks who are unfortunate enough to be caught. It is essentially as if Corvallis has an unofficial drinking age of 18, with ease of access to alcohol and a small chance of repercussions if caught.
Being British, a drinking age of 21 confuses me. "Dry" dorms on campus and Greek houses don't act as a deterrent, they only seem to help promote binge drinking by ensuring students who live there have to finish all of their drinks before they can go home. It ensures students who are underage are also limited to drinking within a party environment, which is often unsafe for early experiments with alcohol. Drinking is a means to becoming drunk, rather than a substance to be enjoyed for pleasure - say a glass of wine with a good film.
Having just experienced my first American college Halloween, it seems laughable, however, that the drinking age here is anything of an obstacle. If everyone I saw stumbling down Greek Row on Saturday night was over 21, then OSU has been doing some very speedy recruitment of seniors.
Being over 21 myself, the sense of obligation to supply those younger than you with alcohol is immense, and, while I have to fear deportation if caught, it seems for the most part supplying alcohol to minors is an overlooked crime here.
In Oregon, the penalty for a first-time offense is $350. While this is a sizeable sum, I have yet to hear of its actually enforcement - it seems to be more of a threat than a real penalty. 17 to 20 percent of alcohol sold in the state is to supply underage drinkers.
Having read a few editions of ''Police Beat'' now, it also seems the dreaded ''Minor in Possession'' is a rarity, reserved only for the smallest minority of underage drunks who are unfortunate enough to be caught. It is essentially as if Corvallis has an unofficial drinking age of 18, with ease of access to alcohol and a small chance of repercussions if caught.
Being British, a drinking age of 21 confuses me. "Dry" dorms on campus and Greek houses don't act as a deterrent, they only seem to help promote binge drinking by ensuring students who live there have to finish all of their drinks before they can go home. It ensures students who are underage are also limited to drinking within a party environment, which is often unsafe for early experiments with alcohol. Drinking is a means to becoming drunk, rather than a substance to be enjoyed for pleasure - say a glass of wine with a good film.
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