I  agree with lowering the drinking age from 21-18.  Legal adults should be treated as adults.

At 18, one can: get married, join the army, vote, and enter into legal contracts - why not drink?

Critics argue, that at that age one is responsible enough. 

Solution: An alcohol drinking license.

With this new license, the 18 year old high school/GED graduate with no prior alcohol related convictions can go to an alcohol education program for a moderate fee.

Upon successfully completion of the program, one may recieve a ADL permit (stamp from DMV on license) that will serve as a probationary ADL until the age of 21. During the probationary period, one must not receive any alcohol related convictions or any DWI charges where the BAL was over the legal limit or will lose the ADL till the age of 21 or until after completing a more intense, longer program.

At the age of 21, if there are no alcohol related charges in that time frame, a ADL will be issued and all can go on their merry way.  

Also,

I do not mean a "lets watch some videos" program. This program would be more interactive. Perhaps meeting a mother who has lost her child AND a young person who survived an alcohol related crash - but as a result, is permanently disabled  AND visiting inmates around their age serving long sentences for a night of one bad choice AND community service can be involved - maybe in the ER or EMS station - somewhere a person can witness first hand the dangers.

I think we can preach as parents and activists all we want, but we all have, especially at that age the "it's not going to happen to me, I know what I am doing" complex. Reality is a great  learning tool.

I'm no expert, no idea how it would be funded, or if it would even work...but this is just a few lines of thought from a parent who wants my child safe from themselves and others.