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Underage drinking CONTINUED FROM PAGES been going out since they were 13. In Denmark you have to be 16 years old to buy alcohol. However, small shops called “Perker Kiosker” make all their profit on selling cigarettes and alcohol to under-aged people. These shops usually close down after a year, because people drop a dime on them, but then another will most likely open, and alcohol and cigarettes will once again be sold illegally. Therefore, it was not a problem for me to get drinks at any time. Alcohol is a big part of Danish cul ture and has an important social as pect as well. Alcohol is served at par ties hosted by high schools on school grounds and takes part in every holiday and people start drinking early. It is also legal for kids to drink at any age if ■■ IN AMERICA, COLLEGE KIDS HIDE IN THE BATHROOM WHEN POLICE ARE PULLING UP AT PARTIES, AND ALCOHOL IS NOT ALLOWED VISIBLY ON THE STREETS. they are in a private location. Furthermore, it is not allowed for po lice to arrest or fine drunk kids running around in the streets, no matter what age, unless they are intoxicated enough to cause danger. Also, it is looked down upon if somebody chooses not to drink because it somewhat ruins good social times. In America, college kids hide in the bathroom when police are pulling up at parties, and alcohol is not allowed visibly on the streets. Having open bot tles of alcohol in your car is illegal. In my experience, people are much more careful and responsible when dealing with alcohol in America. Cocaine, MDMA and ecstasy are huge trends among high school and college kids in Denmark, who most likely got tired of the buzz alcohol gave them and therefore started ex perimenting. I have seen close friends lose everything because of alcohol and cocaine abuse. I also have friends who like to experiment with ketamine, a type of horse tranquilizer, mixed with ecstasy or LSD, the same kids that be gan drinking at age 13. I clearly remember my fear of the over 21 alcohol rule in America, and I even prepared myself for not being able to drink my first couple of years in Asheville. I quickly found out people under 21 find other ways to get alcohol, and private parties are more common here than in Denmark, which quickly eased my fear. Young people want to have fun, and alcoholism is also a reality in America. I believe it is healthy for kids to wait until they are grown up to be able to deal with alcohol on a casual basis, and therefore I do see the point of the re striction of alcohol and its availability to people under 21. I have seen the consequences of un derage drinking. People get bored and want to try something that can give them a higher buzz. Alcohol turns into weed, weed turns into hash, hash turn into cocaine, until drugs are all that matters. Death CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8 in Oregon made a request and 105 of those patients used it. In 2015, there were 218 requests and 132 uses. According to a Gallup survey from 2015, 68 percent of Americans think physician-assisted death should be legalized. Regardless of the question of legality, an increasing number of Americans also believe physician-as sisted death is morally acceptable. In , 2015, 56 percent said it is acceptable compared to 45 percent just two years prior. Twenty-four states, including North Carolina, are considering similar bills this year. Rep. Pricey Harrison plans to reintroduce her Death with Dignity Act this session. The bill was attempt ed in 2015 — a first of its kind in North Carolina’s legislative history — but it never made it out of the Judiciary Committee. There has been some pushback. In February, Congress attempted to over turn the District of Columbia’s law but they were unsuccessful. A similar attempt was made in Montana by their legislature but they were also unsuc cessful. Death with dignity laws are far from perfect as they are somewhat narrow in what they allow, particularly the PUSHBACK. IN FEBRUARY, CONGRESS AHEMPTED TO OVERTURN DC’S LAW BUT THEY WERE UNSUCCESSFUL limitation requiring a prognosis of six months or less to live. Alzheimer’s, for example, is a degenerative disease that can last for years. Since these laws state a patient must be considered men tally competent, they would likely be unable to make the decision by the time they have six months left to live. De spite the shortcomings of the laws, they are a good start since most terminally ill people have no choice whatsoever. More states should work to adopt these policies and attempt to improve any weaknesses or flaws that are found. No one should be refused the right to die in a humane and controlled way if they are suffering from an incurable disease or illness. No family, friend or otherwise should be forced to watch a loved one in anguish simply because they cannot legally or safely choose to end their own life. Nurture Brilliance. Broaden Horizons. Change The World. Become a Teacher. At UNC Asheville you can earn a teaching license while pursuing a major you love. You also have the option of participating in our teacher licensure program after you graduate as a post-baccalaureate student. Learn more at education.unca.eciu teach(a)unca.edu 828.251.6304 Univershy of North Carolina ASHEVILLE Teacher Education Content Pedagogy Profess lonal^m Educating Effective Teachers Through the Liberal 4m
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