The Amethyst Initiative was started by John McCardell, the founder and President of Choose Responsibility. As an expert in the field of alcohol and its impact on society, McCardell saw the need for a new approach to the issue of underage drinking and alcohol-related problems on college campuses. He believed that the current legal drinking age of 21 was not effectively preventing young people from consuming alcohol, and instead was contributing to a culture of dangerous binge drinking.
McCardell's decision to create the Amethyst Initiative was influenced by his personal experiences and observations. Throughout his career as a college president, he witnessed firsthand the negative consequences of the 21-year-old drinking age. He saw how students were often driven underground to consume alcohol illegally, where they lacked the guidance and supervision of responsible adults. This, in turn, led to riskier behavior and increased incidents of alcohol-related accidents and injuries.
Moreover, McCardell recognized that the United States stood out among other countries in its approach to the legal drinking age. In many European countries, for example, the legal drinking age is 18 or lower, and yet they have lower rates of alcohol-related problems among young people compared to the U.S. This discrepancy in outcomes intrigued McCardell and motivated him to explore alternative solutions.
In 2008, McCardell launched the Amethyst Initiative as a platform for college and university presidents to voice their concerns about the current drinking age and advocate for change. The initiative takes its name from the Greek mythological story of Amethyst, a young girl who was turned into a gemstone by the goddess Diana to protect her from the intoxicating effects of wine. This symbolism reflects the belief that education and responsible drinking habits are more effective in preventing alcohol-related harm than simply setting an arbitrary age limit.
The Amethyst Initiative quickly gained attention and support from college and university presidents across the country. These leaders recognized the need for a new approach to address the complex issue of underage drinking and its consequences. By signing on to the initiative, they pledged to engage in an open and honest dialogue about the effectiveness of the current drinking age and explore alternative strategies to promote responsible drinking among young adults.
McCardell's leadership and dedication to the cause were instrumental in the success of the Amethyst Initiative. His expertise in the field, coupled with his personal experiences and observations, provided a strong foundation for the initiative's goals. By starting this project, McCardell aimed to challenge the status quo and spark a national conversation about the effectiveness of the current drinking age.
The Amethyst Initiative was started by John McCardell, the founder and President of Choose Responsibility, who recognized the need for a new approach to address underage drinking on college campuses. His personal experiences and observations, coupled with his expertise in the field, motivated him to launch the initiative and advocate for change. Through the Amethyst Initiative, college and university presidents were given a platform to voice their concerns and explore alternative strategies to promote responsible drinking among young adults.