A South Dakota politician has an idea that's raising eyebrows and bringing back the age old debate over the legal drinking age.
South Dakota State Representative Tim Rounds is working on a proposal that would allow 19 and 20 year olds to legally drink in certain cases.
No doubt the proposal has its share of supporters and opponents.
The legal drinking age in the United States was changed from 18 to 21 back in 1984.
However a new proposal in South Dakota to allow 19 and 20 year olds to essentially drink underage in a controlled establishment with someone who is at least 21- is bringing the drinking age change- back up.
"21 is the appropriate drinking age for young people, probably higher based on actual scientific research you know 25 is the age adolescent brain fully develops." Says Siouxland CARES Executive Director, Linda Phillips.
But whether it's a scientific or factual argument, Phillips whole heartedly disagrees with the proposal.
"When you stop and think of all the implications of that, how are they going to get home? What's going to happen? Who's going to take care of a bunch of drunk people, you know when you lower the drinking age. What difference does it make with somebody who is 21 or 22? The whole process when I read it, I was like, I don't understand why that makes a difference." Says Phillips.
But, one 19 year old University of South Dakota Freshman, would have to disagree with Phillips and instead support the proposal.
"I think that would be pretty nice, if you have older friends who are 21 you can hang out with them, still on the weekends." Says Brady Welk.
Brady's 22 year old friend has to agree.
"Being a 22 year old college student I do agree with the letting my friends drink with me, because I mean he's my age and I like to drink with him, because as a college kid everybody drinks with everybody. I'm not gonna not drink with someone because they're not my age." Says Cody Runyon.
While most parents will disagree with the proposal, most college kids will support it. Either way its sure to be a topic of much discussion.
"I would love it right now but in four years when i'm old and responsible, then no." Says Runyon.
Also in State Representative Tim rounds proposal- if 19 and 20 year olds have any alcohol in their blood while driving- they would be presumed to be driving under the influence.
Rounds says if the proposal would lead to a loss of federal highway funds for South Dakota, he would drop the idea.
