Should We Raise the Drinking Age to 21?

Should We Raise The Drinking Age To 21? – The Australian prime minister Kevin Rudd has suggested that the minimum age of drinking alcohol in Australia should be raised from 18 to 21. Would this cut down on binge drinking among the young or is this just a token gesture that does little if anything to solve the problem? What do you think? It is interesting to note that many of those who support the raising of the drinking age are not those that would be directly affected by any change in the law. Fletcher, Colin and I discuss the issue. www.youtube.com/saintfletcher www.youtube.com/Hop4formaldahyde

Editorial: Governments cannot afford to ignore alcohol abuse
Its South Australia vice-president, Dr Patricia Montanaro, told the Sunday Mail that binge-drinking among young people posed not only immediate health risks but also could lead to a pattern of alcohol abuse later in life. It is a message that should be … Read more on The Daily Telegraph

Police ready to crack down with heavy fines for naughty NYE revellers
REVELLERS have been warned that they stand to cop $ 550 fines if they refuse to leave pubs and clubs tonight and $ 2200 fines if they refuse to tip out their booze in alcohol free zones. Hotels across NSW have invested … Australian Hotels Association … Read more on The Daily Telegraph

Taking a bite out of the Big Apple this New Year
Nationally too, we've seen $ 13 million cut from education campaigns tackling obesity – at a time when two-thirds of the Australian population is overweight or obese. Junk food and alcohol manufacturers are given almost unfettered access to promote … Read more on Crikey (blog)