The Metro Council voted Wednesday against a proposal that would ban people ages 18, 19, or 20 from clubs, bars and lounges that serve alcohol–despite the fact that they now can patronize these establishments although they are too young to drink.
The proposal sparked debate among Southern University students. Some believe that banning young people, who haven’t reached the legal drinking age of 21, deny them the opportunity to have fun in clubs and bars, which are major sources of entertainment for college students. However, parents such as Micki Wright know how easy it is for 18-, 19- and 20-year-olds to get alcohol.
“Although 18- and 20-year olds think they’re adults, as a mother of two I know that they can get their friends who are over 21 to buy them drinks,” Wright said. “I agree to the proposal.”
Entertainment venues in the Baton Rouge area are scarce and a lot of students enjoy College Night, concerts and fraternity and sorority parties at local nightclubs such as Jazzy Bluez, Club Element and Club Upscale. Although the owners of these clubs were not available for comment, Freshman Brandon Lee feels that a ban would cause clubs to lose revenue.
“Why should they stop us from going,” said Lee, a political science major from New Orleans. They’re making money and that’s what it’s all about.”
However, some students like Junior Lauryn Lane feel that a ban wouldn’t be unbearable for students.
“I don’t have a problem with it because it’s not like clubs are the only way to have fun,” said Lane, an electrical engineering major from Baton Rouge. “If you’re not suppose to drink, the law basically ensures that you don’t.”
According to The Advocate, Councilman Byron Sharper said, “It is all about choices” and he doesn’t think the council should limit entertainment options for people ages 18, 19 or 20. He said he was turned down at a bar when he asked for a drink because he didn’t have a band indicating he is eligible to drink, although he was clearly older than 21.
Councilman Pat Culbertson said he got more than 100 e-mails on the matter. He said he thinks there has been slow, steady progress in reducing drinking by LSU students but that it has little to do with laws being passed.
He said he tried to get evidence and facts to support the proposal. He said he heard that of 1,100 citations issued for underage drinking, 23 were issued for violations in bars. He wasn’t sure it was accurate.
Councilman Ulysses “Bones” Addison said it is unfortunate that the debate was reduced to economics. He said a market will open up to cater to the 18- to 20-year-olds if they can no longer go to bars.
Voting for the proposal were council members Jim Benham, Wayne Carter, Addison and Lorri Burgess. Voting against it were Martha Jane Tassin, Sharper, Culbertson, Charles Kelly, Joe Greco, Mike Walker, Darrell Ourso and David Boneno.
“We were very disappointed in the outcome but we will continue or mission to push for legislation to prevent underage drinking in our communities,” said Sharron Ayers, director of the Louisiana Alliance to Prevent Underage Drinking.
Ayers and other others for the ban are pleased with a proposal to increase the penalties to bar owners who violate the law.
According to The Advocate, Ourso has a proposal that will be discussed next week to increase those fines from $150 to $250 for a first offense and to $500 for a second offense, “and no negotiation of the fees.” More than two violations would require the owner to appear before the ABC board and face losing the liquor license.
Karen Lewis, an assistant records manager at SU said only time would tell whether or not tougher penalties for bar owners would curtail underage drinking.
“Teenagers will drink anywhere. Banning them from night clubs won’t stop it,” Lewis said. “Prevention starts at home.”
Kayla Perkins contributed to this story.
