The efforts, which aim to erase abstinence as the only legal option for under-21 drinkers, have already begun to draw criticism from individuals and organizations promoting no-alcohol policies.

Officials with Mothers Against Drunk Driving have said lowering the legal drinking age would result in more incidents of drunken driving. They've asked parents to reconsider supporting the colleges and universities that have signed on to the Amethyst Initiative.

"It's very clear the 21-year-old drinking age will not be enforced at those campuses," said Laura Dean-Mooney, national president of MADD.

However, the presidents who have signed on, say they have done so in order to thwart irresponsible drinking by college students, which they deem is a big problem on college campuses.

Those included in the petition are not just asking to reduce age limits, but are calling on elected officials to "support an informed and dispassionate public debate over the effects of the 21-year-old drinking age," as stated in the Amethyst petition. They also want to determine whether the 10 percent penalty to each state's federal highway appropriation, imposed when the 21-year-old age limit is not enforced, "encourages or inhibits" that debate.

The presidents also want to open a discussion that invites new ideas about the best ways to prepare young adults to make responsible decisions about alcohol.

E-mail: wleonard@desnews.com