Lowering the drinking age is an issue that always seems to spark a heated debate.Groups like MADD and SADD are often the first to take up the drumbeat against underaged drinking.As I’m sure you’ve heard by now, though, some university presidents and chancellors are declaring the 21-year-old drinking age a failed exercise. The Amethyst Initiative has caused quite a stir in higher education circles.Kansas University decided to stay clear of the petition, but university spokeswoman Lynn Bretz acknowledged that it was a discussion that had to be had.The question arises, however: How effective would lowering the drinking age actually be?According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, the age limit on drinking has actually had a “positive effect on decreasing traffic crashes and fatalities, suicide and decreased consumption by those under 21.”I’m curious what you think, though.Does lowering the drinking age actually prevent binge drinking? Does the argument that it eliminates the forbidden fruit hold up? Or is it simply a load of bunk?Comments are open. You can also get ahold of me here.