David R. Maratita, director of the department’s Alcohol and Tobacco Control Division, warned the Senate about the ramifications of reducing the drinking age as he expressed support for House Bill 17-17 which will impose tougher measures on minors drinking alcohol and the establishments that accommodate them.
Because Sen. Ralph DLG. Torres, R-Saipan, still had concerns with one of the bill’s provisions, the Senate did not act on H.B. 17-17 which was authored by Rep. Edmund S. Villagomez, Covenant-Saipan.
Maratita said although the idea to lower the drinking age to 18 has not yet been officially proposed in the Legislature, he wanted to express his department’s opposition to it.
Commerce, he added, recognizes the younger citizens’ right to vote and honors those who have join the military to serve the country.
However, Maratita said the Senate should first consider if bringing the drinking age down to 18 is “rational” in terms of public safety.
Maratita cited the car accident on Rota three days ago that killed an 18 year old. Although there is no report yet whether alcohol is involved, such an incident is another example of fatality crashes involving teenagers, he added.
Not allowing those who are 18 to drink is a “societal issue” and has nothing to do with the right to vote or willingness to join the military, he said.
Maratita also cited Guam’s successful campaign to raise the drinking age from 18 to 21 due to numerous road fatalities involving drunk teenagers.
He believes that those who are 21 and above have a stronger sense of responsibility when consuming alcohol than those who are still 18.
Senate Floor Leader Pete P. Reyes, R-Saipan, earlier said it was odd to allow an 18 year old to carry firearms and go to war while not letting him or her to go to a bar and drink alcohol.
Reyes said it was about time to redefine in the statute the definitions of “minor” and “adult.”
Senate President Paul A. Manglona, Ind.-Rota, said the drinking age issue should be discussed separately from H.B. 17-17 which simply seeks to impose stiffer fines.
