Journalistic Interview Report copy
- 1. Isaac Lucio 12/5/14 Journalistic Interview Report In 1984, the United Stated government passed the Minimum Drinking Age Law forcing each state to set their legal drinking age to twenty-one or lose half of their yearly highway funding. In 2012, 10,322 people died in drunk driving related accidents. This is a very disturbing statistic. However, since 1983, the year before the Minimum Drinking Age Law was passed, that same yearly statistic has been cut in half from over 20,000 deaths. Consequently, an interesting and controversial topic looming over the state of Texas today is the idea of lowering the legal drinking age from twenty-one to eighteen. Many arguments have been made on either side of the issue, but the laws still stand to this day. Stephen Locascio is the General Manager of ‘Local Bar and Grill’ as well as ‘Bar PM,’ and feels very strongly that the law should not be changed at this point in time. Stephen Locascio is a graduate from Texas Tech University with a degree in human development and family studies, and specializes in addictive disorders and recovery studies. In addition to his formal education, Stephen Locascio has four years of first-hand experience in the alcohol management and service industry. Furthermore, Stephen is twenty-eight years old, which means he has experienced living through the age range that is in question. There are some common questions and concerns regarding the legal drinking age in dispute. That being said, Stephen Locascio has three very specific apprehensions that have led to his belief that the legal drinking age should not change. Stephen’s first major concern with lowering the legal age is business related. He questions the transition period and logistics of this major change. Stephen questions how Local Bar and Grill or any other bar on Broadway can handle such a drastic change in demographic at it’s bar. Questions about coverage by insurance companies arise with
- 2. Isaac Lucio 12/5/14 this change, and there are many business decisions that have to be made if an age drop were to occur. Would bars change with the law, or would they choose to remain twenty-one and over? Stephen is the father of a one year old boy, so naturally he has further objections that of a more personal nature. How will the world prepare a younger, less mature generation for the responsibilities that come with alcohol use? Establishments along with parents and law enforcement must anticipate new statistics, issues and complications that undoubtedly come with an amendment of this magnitude. So many options become available to a person on their eighteenth birthday. How will those options change once alcohol is introduced to that age group? Will there be negatives on the world in general? These questions are very complex concerns that have to be addressed before anything moves forward. Stephen emphasizes how difficult a change like this would be, and questions basic concepts concerning the issue. Is it really necessary to change the drinking age? What does the United Stated of America stand to gain by changing the legal drinking age. What is the risk versus reward, and what are the pros and cons of making this change. Stephen feels that the cons greatly out weighs the pros, and that fact should be the final factor. The most significant positive effect to be noted is the substantial increase in money spent on alcohol. The negative effects however have the potential to be endless. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, excessive drinking remains a leading cause of premature mortality nationwide. In regards to that statistic, Stephen adds that lowering the legal drinking age would not have a positive effect on the number of premature deaths. Instead, is would raise the number of premature deaths, and there is no need to make a change that would have that type of effect on the world. There are many relevant perspectives on either side of the isle in this metaphorical church, and there are millions of people that have differing opinions. Stephen Locascio has a
- 3. Isaac Lucio 12/5/14 very strong opinion that comes from years of education and first-hand alcohol service experience. No matter what side of the fence someone is on, Stephen’s arguments and perspectives cannot be ignored and must be answered before lowering the legal drinking age from twenty-one years old.