Published: September 04, 2008 01:00 pm            

THURSDAY: NY officials mull steps to curb underage drinking (1:00 p.m.)

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — New York officials charged with combatting underage drinking are considering tougher punishments for parents who supply alcohol to their children’s friends.

They’re also eyeing a growing movement among U.S. colleges to lower the drinking age to reduce binge drinking.

New York’s Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services has strongly opposed the proposal to drop the drinking age to 18 from the current 21.

The idea was proposed by the Amethyst Initiative, a group advocating a lower drinking age to encourage legal, responsible drinking.

The proposal has been widely criticized, particularly by advocates who say the higher drinking age reduces traffic deaths and injuries.

        

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