And, as you might expect, the neo-prohibitionists with groups like Mothers Against Drunk Driving are shocked and outraged.

Next weekend, some parents of Lanigan Central High School graduates will host a “safe grad” party at an undisclosed location. Graduates planning to attend the Saturday night drinking party had to submit a form signed by their parents in advance of the party. The graduates had to pre-order and pre-pay for the alcohol they’ll drink during the 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. party. Graduates and their guests, who have to be in Grade 10 or higher, will be allowed up to 10 drinks, including beer, vodka, rum and rye.

“That boggles the mind,” said Diane Fontaine, president of the Saskatoon and area Mothers Against Drunk Driving. “It’s pretty scary.”

Having that many alcoholic drinks at one time is considered binge drinking, says Dell, who added the definition of binge drinking is five or more drinks.

“The idea of safe grad is around drinking and driving and keeping people alive,” she said.

“Is that really the goal we want for our kids—is to simply keep them alive?”

I think that last quote is pretty telling, and illustrates perfectly how groups like Mothers Against Drunk Driving aren’t so much promoting public safety as a new prohibition movement.  They’re not just about keeping people safe.  They’re about forcing people to live by their standards.

Is it ok to let kids drink 10 drinks in one night?  My guess is that most of the kids who do drink 10 drinks are going to be pretty sick, but I certainly think it’s better for them to drink those drinks in a controlled environment where they won’t bother or hurt themselves or anyone else.  And, frankly, I think it’s better overall to let kids get some experience with alcohol at a younger age while still under the control of their parents rather than keeping it taboo, which encourages them to sneak off to uncontrolled and unsafe locations to drink in secret.  Or it postpones their experience with alcohol until they’re in college or otherwise away from their parents for the first time.

Put simply, I think we’d see fewer tragedies if we just recognized that alcohol actually exists.  That no matter how many prohibitions we put on it, those that want it will always get it.  If we ended alcohol’s taboo status by making it legal for Americans of all ages I think we’d see less abuse of it among the young.

save this article / add to your favorites list