Raising the Legal Minimum Drinking Age: Short-Term Effects with College Student Samples

Abstract

Student drinking patterns were examined before and after legislative action raising the minimum drinking age for 3.2 beer. Sampling was done at Oklahoma State University with three samples of 185, 276 and 245. The total quantity-frequency of drinking and the problem drinking index remained essentially the same after the law change, although some differences in drinking patterns were noted. Few changes were observed among men, but women reduced drinking in the sample immediately following the legislation, although they increased drinking by the end of the sampling period (six months later). After the law change, students tended to drink less often in bars, but more often at home and in other less public places; and they reported drinking significantly less beer, but more wine and liquor. The possibility was discussed that culturally relevant behavior, such as alcohol consumption, may require efforts to produce changes which are broader in scope than just changing laws.