Effects of Massachusetts Raising its Legal Drinking Age from 18 to 20 on Deaths From Teenage Homicide, Suicide, and Non-traffic Accidents.

This study explores whether, when Massachusetts raised its legal drinking age from 18-20 in 1979, there were significant declines in adolescent drinking & in turn, homicide suicide & non-traffic death rates in the years 1980-2 relative to New York State, where the legal drinking age remained at 18. Results indicated no significant reductions in the rate of homicides, suicides, or non-traffic accidental death. Drinking did not decrease among this group. Homicide rates actually increased. (NBB)