here's what lowering the drinking age can do:

-reduce binge drinking. part of this is making alcohol consumption a part of regular life, like having a glass of wine with dinner so it is no longer a ritualistic rite of passage where kids get together and get hammered on cheap beer whenever they find an opportunity. raising kids with the mentality that alcohol is something to be used in moderation (as opposed to something they can never have until some arbitrary age, regardless of their behavior or ability to be responsible) takes away a lot of the desire to consume in ridiculous amounts.

-bridge the gap between the fact 18 year olds can sign contracts, be sued, go to jail as an adult, serve in the military, get married, go into debt, vote and other major acts of responsibility and yet can not have a sip of liquor.

-force parents to actually have to talk to their kids about drinking. instead of the panacea of "don't do it" "just say no" and other conversation-stoppers, moms and dads will have to convey their values to children. it does no good for parents to have a mistaken notion that "my kids don't drink" when a real open dialogue about being a responsible user of alcohol could save the kid's life. knowing your dad will whoop your ass for being at a party with alcohol encourages some kids to drive home drunk when they ought to call home and say "i've had too much. i need to stay here tonight. i'll see you in the morning."