I'm assuming the 974 liquor violations and 559 DUI arrests in State College last year are a big reason why the State College Police Department is continuing to focus all of its attention on putting an end to underage drinking in our area.

Is it our fault that the local police received $80,000 in grants to individually seek out every single student under the age of 21? Should slightly intoxicated 20-year-olds with perfect records take up the time of four or even six policemen when there are more pressing issues occurring in State College? Since authorities are so firm in believing that underage drinking is the most important causation of rapes, sexual and physical assaults, battery, maybe it is up to the students to change their views.

Underage drinking is undoubtedly never going to come to a complete stop, especially in a college atmosphere like Penn State.

So I guess college students are stuck with the fear of earning ourselves a citation and very affordable fine of $300 every single time we hit the streets with as little as one beer in our system. That is, unless we prove to local authorities that we are all mature adults and can drink responsibly without inflicting any physical or psychological pain upon others or ourselves.

Maybe we can get this "monkey off our back" that rides around on bikes and in squad cars, and is now entering our parties and graciously distributing 20-plus citations to unlucky underage drinkers.

I am not asking for students under the age of 21 to refrain from drinking entirely, for that is a request that would get laughed at by everyone in our town. But maybe, socially drinking without getting belligerent and causing brawls on the street will slowly influence the local police to concentrate on stopping more important criminal activities from occurring.

Since we are apparently in a position where we must prove ourselves to the authorities, maybe it is now in our hands to show them that underage drinking, if being responsible, is not the most threatening action for which we could be taking part.

I'm not encouraging you to give up things that typical college students take part in, but I am motivating you to be more cautious, more careful and more aware of the consequences that come with the risk of underage drinking.

Don't be stupid.