101575: Minimum Legal Drinking Age Policy

About the Course:

Since 1988, the minimum legal drinking age (MLDA) has been age 21 for both the purchase and possession of alcohol in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Despite laws raising the drinking age to 21, underage drinking is prevalent in America and there are movements in some states and by some organizations to lower the drinking age. This publication addresses the effectiveness and application of MLDA-21 laws.

This course is from our series “Substance Abuse and Societal Issues”. The series is based on Knowledge Assets, published by the Substance Abuse Policy Research Program.

Our other courses in the series include:

101568-Alcohol Retail Policy

101569-DUI Policy

101564-Increasing the Use of Smoking Cessation Treatments

101570-Substance Abuse and Welfare Reform

101563-Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Substance Abuse Treatment

101574-Syringe Access Interventions

101575-Minimum Legal Drinking Age Policy

101577-Buprenorphine Treatment for Opioid Addiction

101576-Drug Treatment for Drug Abusing Criminal Offenders

Publication Date:

March 2009

Author

James C. Fell, M.S.

About the Author:

James C. Fell is associated with the Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation.

Recommended For:

This course is recommended for health care professionals, especially addiction counselors, psychologists, mental health counselors, social workers, and nurses who seek knowledge about minimum legal drinking age policy. It is appropriate for all levels of participants’ knowledge.

Course Objectives:

1. Discuss varying age-related rights, the results of lower drinking ages in Europe, and the effect of MLDA-21 laws on binge drinking.

2. Explain the effectiveness of MLDA-21 laws and discuss factors relating to license sanctions and laws regarding false identification.

3. Describe current laws regarding the minimum legal drinking age (MLDA) and identify components adopted in various states.