Since the July 2008 launch of the controversial Amethyst Initiative — the signatory campaign of university and college presidents who support the consideration of a lower drinking age — the campaign has been cheered and jeered by parents, students and campus administrators. Most recently both national and local anti drug campaigns, including powerhouse Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) and small fries such as the Nevada, California based Coalition for a Drug Free Nevada County, are speaking out against the initiative. MADD is using its substantial influence and funding to fight the initiative, asking supporters of the current drinking age to sign an email petition and send it on to the college administrators who signed the Amethyst Initiative. MADD has also recruited administrators friendly to their cause, including Donna Shalala, University of Miami president and former U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary.

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