I've always said as much. In Europe, where I live, the legal drinking age is completely irrelevant, because noone makes a big deal about it like they do in the States. I had my first drink of Vodka at 15, and then six months later I probably had my second drink, and neer gave it a second thought. I started college before I was 18, and there I was taught my drinking limits (by getting drunk a few times and singing around campus like an idiot.) When I got my driver's license, I knew what one glass of wine or beer or whatever would do to me. I was totally capable of knowing when I was in condition to drive and when I wasn't, because I knew alcohol waaaay before I had a license to to drive a 1-ton killing machine.

In the US kids can drive at 16, sometimes younger. The very first time they can get drunk (legally), they will have car keys in their hands, and no personal experience warning them that they are in no condition to drive.

In the States there is such an alcoholism problem, and I'm sure it's because alcohol is such a taboo. Remove the taboo and you remove the appeal!