Has lowering the NZ drinking age caused more crime? Despite ongoing concern, the evidence isn’t clear cut

New Zealand reduced the minimum age for buying alcohol from 20 to 18 in 1999 and, with over two decades of data on the possible effects of the change, some health campaigners are calling for a return to the upper age limit; researchers Alexander Plum, Christopher Erwin and Kabir Dasgupta of the University of Auckland believe the evidence over the impact on crime figures is less than clear.

It’s fair to say that drinking alcohol is popular among Kiwis, to the point of potential harm. According to the latest New Zealand Health Survey, one in five adults – or 824,000 people – have an established drinking pattern that “carries a high risk of future damage to physical or mental health”.

Lees verder via policinginsight.com