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A DRUGS and alcohol expert says road deaths could be reduced in Queensland if the legal drinking age went back to 21. The legal drinking age was lowered in 1974 from 21 to 18. Professor Wayne Hall of the University of Queensland, who has researched the effects of drinking on young people, said that where the legal drinking age in the US was raised to 21 in the 1980s, road fatalities fell. "I think it's a possibility that we should seriously consider and one we should be debating," he said. "Alcohol is one of the main causes of road deaths among 17 to 25-year-olds in Australia and such a move could help reduce the road carnage." His call is supported by the Australian Medical Association and Drug Free Australia. Drug Free Australia spokeswoman Wendy Herbert said raising the drinking age back up to 21 in the US reduced traffic fatalities in 18 to 20-year-olds by 13 per cent. She added: "Alcohol is the main gateway drug. When people delay the start of alcohol use to 21 they seldom develop a dependency to alcohol or any other drug." The push comes as alcohol-related deaths among teenagers reach alarming levels in Australia. Figures reveal one young Australian dies from underage drinking every week and 60 more are hospitalised because of alcohol. Commonwealth Government statistics also show one in 10 teens drink at harmful levels with a third engaging in high-risk behaviour at least once a month after binge drinking. AMA vice-president Dr Choong-Siew Yong said raising the legal drinking age was definitely worth considering, but that it wouldn't work on its own. "If you can delay the take-up of most drugs you will find there's a reduction in some of the associated problems," he said. "We also have a culture where there aren't a lot of role models for young adolescents about how to responsibly use alcohol. "Simply raising the drinking age by itself won't be as effective as trying to also change attitudes and the use of alcohol generally." Leading child psychologist Michael Carr-Gregg said research shows the younger you drink the more harm you will come to. Sunday Mail (6-1-2007) |
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