It might be shocking to some, but college students, regardless of whether they are older than 21, sometimes drink adult beverages.
And yet, the moral fabric of American society is still intact.
UF recently took a positive step toward destigmatizing the idea of underage drinking when it passed its alcohol-related medical amnesty policy.
If students go to the hospital and are under the legal drinking age, they will receive treatment without facing disciplinary action from the university.
This does not mean you should get black-out drunk all of the time, but in case you ever have one too many, you can feel safe going to a UF medical facility.
And you should definitely go.
This fall, there have been 13 UF students with alcohol-related emergencies, 5 of which were underage.
Although this number is the highest for a fall semester since 2007, it is actually a good sign if students who otherwise would shy away from treatment are seeking medical attention for problems that could lead to serious illness or death.
Of course, we all hear and make the argument that it is a little strange that we allow people 18 years or older to vote and die for our country, but deny them the ability to drink alcohol.
But an even bigger argument for lowering the drinking age and removing the stigma from alcohol consumption has to do with health and safety.
In most families, parents are afraid to discuss the idea of drinking with their children, but that could be changing. It is not because there are not enough ad campaigns telling parents to talk to their kids about drugs and alcohol.
It's because the government wants teenagers to be informed about alcohol consumption while denying them the ability to legally learn about it in the comfort of their own home.
Parents can talk about the effects of drinking all day, but the first night spent puking out your stomach or the first time you wake up with one of the worst headaches you have ever had can teach you a lot more about the consequences of alcohol consumption.
It is no wonder there are so many incidents of binge drinking and alcohol-related medical emergencies when underage students go to college.
The fact of the matter is that some students will go to parties where alcohol is present, and most will partake in the festivities.
Lowering the drinking age and allowing students to experience the pleasure and pain of drinking alcohol first-hand, along with guidance of experienced adults, can go a long way in reducing these problems.
