NYRA is beginning a local advertising campaign in Abilene, Texas to initiate reforms towards a lower drinking age and to raise awareness of youth rights.

This campaign will direct Texas residents to the NYRA site where they can find answers to their frequently asked questions, get legal research on drinking age laws for all 50 states, read the history of the National Minimum Drinking Age Act, and get lots of research studies and papers on the drinking age.

The campaign intends to build awareness of the fact that over 962 men and women in uniform under twenty-one have died in Iraq and Afghanistan fighting for their country, never to be respected under the law as equal members of American society because of current minimum legal drinking age legislation. Because of the arbitrary discrimination of the drinking age law, our troops serve us without us being able to serve them.

San Angelo resident and NYRA member Adam Zarnowski explained the campaign, “The goal is to raise awareness about the failure of the 21-year-old drinking age and show support for our young men and women in uniform. The members of our military are just one example of the many ways in which responsible young people prove themselves unworthy of the negative stereotypes we have about youth.”

Students, parents, workers, soldiers, artists, teachers and 18 to 20 year old citizens in every corner of our nation lead responsible, productive lives and are treated as adults in nearly every other way except the ability to buy alcohol. It makes no sense to say an average 19 year old is mature enough to buy a house, get married, own a gun and go to Afghanistan but isn’t mature enough to have a can of beer. NYRA strongly believes it is time to lower the drinking age.

NYRA President Jeffrey Nadel stated, “The 21-year-old drinking age has been a discriminatory failure. For America’s military and civilian population alike, it is time to lower the drinking age.”

The billboard will run from September 12 through November 6 near the corner of Mocking Bird Lane and N 10th St in Abilene.

20 Comments

  1. Hehe, when you Google that phrase now it finds this post because you said “abilene drinking age billboard” earlier.

  2. Terrific message, guys, and a great visual as well. Hits you in the gut.

    Congrats on the great work to all involved. I hope it pays some tangible dividends (in addition to laying the framework for future debates); and I hope we get to do more like this!

  3. I’m now imagining an ad with a bartender turning away a uniformed serviceman and saying “Sorry son, I guess the folks who make the rules don’t think you’ve earned it yet.”

    Always the sign of a good message when it’s easy to come up with more like it.

  4. Like the sign and message.
    Note that a new law or curfew for the under 12 age in New York.
    But a example of what sends the wrong message to our youth.
    But the question to you is that of any in 2012 National Youth Rights Day date set?
    Still seek to learn where the California Chapters are located.
    Your friend and Allie for planetary rights for all.

  5. “Why do I recognize your username?”

    I’ve been around for a while but don’t post very often. Although I did make it in to meet Alex and Dave in the palatial office suite in DC last year…

    Goes to show: good messages also bring people like me out of the woodwork! Hope to see more.

  6. I think the greatest point I can make on this issue is to suggest one to take a quick look in their medicine cabinet. One will find that an “adult” dose for over-the-counter drugs is for ages 12 and up.

    Even such powerful (and dangerous) drugs such as Morphine, Ativan, and Ritalin abide by this rule, giving an “adult” dose to those 12 and up (in the case of Ritalin, this dosage is applied to those as young as 6). If the FDA can determine that a 12 year-old is developed enough to have the equivalent “adult” dose of these medicines, then an 18 year-old (and those younger, I would personally argue) is developed enough to have a glass of wine with dinner.

    Secondly, it greatly disturbs me that we as a society can look at a person as young as seventeen and say, “we hereby ask you to carry this gun into war and, if needed, to make the ultimate sacrifice to ensure our safety, but we don’t think you’re responsible enough to have a Bud Light.”

  7. Maybe I’m not getting this too clear, shouldnt the message be for youth NOT to drink instead of lowering the age TO drink? How is this a positive message for our youth? How is this going to HELP them in a positive light and yes definetly they should get ALL credit for their time and sacrifice in war, NO DOUBT about that one, its only fair and right, but the drinking one I dont get.

  8. Oh sorry, I’m not saying that a young person of 18+ should even be in war or carrying a gun. I personally dont believe that they are mature enough emotionally or mentally to do that either. I dont think our government should place this type of responsibility on our youth, but I pray for each and every one of them daily and thank them for their sacrifice.

  9. i agree with the nyra that the drinking age should be lowered to a least 18 just think about it. it would not make a big difference if they did

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