In Reply: Mr Walcoff's conclusion that US alcohol policies have not worked and his suggestion that other countries have a better approach we should adopt reflects neither the facts nor public opinion.
Several policies have been shown to be effective in reducing the prevalence and consequences of underage drinking. For example, higher taxes on alcoholic beverages reduce teen drinking,1 as do interventions such as compliance checks.2 The National Highway Transportation and Safety Administration estimates that increasing the US legal drinking age to 21 years has reduced traffic fatalities involving drivers aged 18 to 20 years by 13% and has saved an estimated 20 970 lives since 1975.3
The fact is that there is no national US alcohol policy. Underage drinking policies and the manner in which they have been implemented and enforced vary substantially among states and communities. Research shows that reducing underage drinking and its costs requires addressing all the . . . [Full Text of this Article]
