Education needed in high schools

I see they, more than 100 college presidents, some from the nation’s best known universities, have made known a project they call the Amethyst Initiative, which is designed to provoke a national debate about the drinking age.

I am quite sure that if the drinking age were lowered to 18, there would be excessive drinking by 18- to 21-year-olds, even when their main purpose should be preparing for a successful tomorrow. This is my view and deep concern.

We have many young people who come from homes where drinking is not a part of their lifestyle. Then a son or daughter goes off to college. So many times they are like lambs being led to the slaughter. Almost all of them appear to be A students, but what happens? The phone rings one night and the parents hear that their child is dead from alcohol poisoning.

I do not fully blame the college. Information classes should be taught in the senior year of high school of the insidious trap they can fall into when older and more experienced drinkers find it very entertaining to see young freshmen fall prey to over-drinking.

Also, parents who believe their children would never be a part of over-drinking: There are hundreds of parents who wish they could in some way warn you of this terrible danger.

Our country needs these young men and women who have great ambitions and hopes for America’s future.

EILEEN LING

Everett