Bingeing Became the New College Research Paper

I would be interested to see information on the number of these incidents when the drinking age was 18.

In his article, Seaman explains the practice of pregaming. According to Seaman, college students who are too young to purchase alcohol drink large quantities of liquor prior to going to a party. This practice results in many students either being hospitalized or actually dying from alcohol poisoning. In relating the history of the legislation regarding the drinking age, Seaman explains that the drinking age was lowered to 18 in the 1960s as a result of student protests. During the 1980s, pressures from Mothers Against Drunk Drivers (MADD) forced legislation that increased the drinking age to 21 in all 50 states. According to Seaman, prohibiting the use of alcohol for 18 to 20-year-olds resulted in making the use of alcohol more attractive for these young adults.He argues that while lowering the drinking age might initially result in a surge of drinking, eventually this would settle down and students would learn to drink responsible. As evidence, he cites the example of McGill University in Montreal where the legal drinking age is 18. Seaman states, "Many, when they first arrive, go overboard, exploiting their ability to drink legally. But by midterms, when McGill's demanding academic standards must be met, the vast majority have put drinking into its practical place among their priorities."

Works cited:

Seaman, Barrett. "How Bingeing Became the New College Sport." Time.com. Web 23 June 2011. http://www.time.com/time/printout/0,8816,1096516,00.html.

Urban Dictionary. Web. 23 June 2011. http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=pregame&defid=1483677.....