We posted a “This is Public Health” sticker on the front door of a liquor store where it states that they ID for the purchase of any alcoholic beverage. This sign is of course referring to the law where you must be 21 to purchase alcohol in the State of Florida. The liquor store we chose was Bulls discount beverage and it is located one street over from the USF campus. This location makes purchasing alcohol extremely easy and accessible to students that are under 21. Many college students have their first alcoholic drink when they attend college and a lot of them are under 21 when this occurs. This is a public health issue because when a person becomes intoxicated, they start to make poor decisions that not only affect them selves but also everyone around them. For example, if an intoxicated person tries to drive, they are putting everyone else on the road at risk because they lose their coordination skills. To reduce the number of accidents due to drinking, public health influenced the government to set standards to protect individuals they feel cannot make responsible decisions on their own. They decided that individuals under 21 were not yet responsible enough to handle any type of alcohol. This standard was set during the 1980s (though was built up before then) to attempt to prevent alcohol related accidents to either the under 21 drinker or people around them. Even though there are laws against underage drinking, the issue of alcohol consumption still remains important in public health because people are still being killed in accidents due to alcohol.Geena Festa, Diana Caicedo, Mary Ivory
Coming from England with alcohol consumption allowed at 18 it is very diffiult to understand why over here the age limit is so high. I know that it is for health and then it leads to drinking and driving but to me having an immature 16 years old racing around the roads because they can now drive is just as dangerous. In England your not allowed to go your provisional (learners) license until you are 17. So, it is difficult why such a high age is put on the consumption of alcohol. I do like the idea that you mentioned about the stores being so close to campus, i very much disagree with this also as it does make it easier for those underage to obtain alcohol.
ReplyDeleteIm from the islands where there are no age limits for drinking, it is sometimes hard to not be able to purchase a drink just because of all the restrictions. It is very understandable why these restrictions were set because there are more cases of drunk driving and death related to drunk driving here in the United States then there are in the Islands. College students tend to party more than they used to when at home and because of that I agree with the law of having to be 21 years of age to buy it. Even though there are ways to get alcohol without worrying about the age limit or getting caught, it will always be a public health issue not only with students but with the citizens as well. It is always important to remind everyone of the consequences of being under the influence
ReplyDeleteI agree with the law when they say the drinking age should be 21+. I wish they would also change the tobacco law too. I think children are starting to do these things way to young. When I was in 9th grade or even younger I would hear about kids drinking & smoking which only leads to having bad habits as an adult and over indulging on these things. I do think there should be high consequences for under age drinking.
ReplyDeleteI also agree with the people who posted the blog & someone who commented above me when they mention the location of this store. This isn't the only one thats close to campus either. It is extremely easy to drive or even walk to the liquor store!
People view alcohol as something harmless but someones choices on how responsible they are with it can effect someone else's life! (drinking & driving)
I think this is a really good point made in public health. It relates a lot to the whole class and whole university which we are all pretty familiar with. I think it is really important that gas stations and places that sell alcohol should clearly state that they only sell to 21 and up. That way underaged people won't even try unless they are very brave. Having the sign shows that no we won't sell to underage people. Especially it being a gas station near a college.
ReplyDeleteI think this issue is very important especially because we are around the influence of college peers. The laws require you to be 21 years old which is an OK age but there are kids that abuse that. At 21 are we really that responsible enough to handle such a privilege? I think that having a liquor store readily available for college student, who a lot are under 21 is hazardous. They will be more likely to go there, especially if it is close and if they are selling liquor at a discount. Also because it is near campus, some student may be inclined to drink while driving thinking "it's only 2 miles away". And also, alcohol is being brought back to campus where it is a big influence on peers that could be underage.
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