A recent study conducted by the Harvard School of Public Health on the drinking habits of college students found that 44 percent of students in 1999 were binge drinkers. The study defined a binge drinker as a male who consumes five drinks or a female who consumes four drinks in a row at least once in a two-week period. The study involved over 14,000 students from 119 universities. It also found that 19 percent of college students refrained from drinking …showed first 75 words of 581 total…

…showed last 75 words of 581 total…proving this is the age at which young people can safely begin drinking alcohol. Leaving prohibition on alcohol largely to the family is the best tactic if the aim is to reduce binge drinking by minors. <Tab/>It is estimated that underage drinking costs the US $58 billion each year in accidents, crime and hospitalizations. Underage and binge drinking is a serious problem that needs to be addressed with positive solutions immediately.