Fakes Fuel Underaged Drinking

It's 4 p.m. on a Thursday afternoon, your last class has just finished, and the possibilities for the evening are endless. For most Boston College students, Thursday nights entail cab rides, about forty dollars' worth of drinks, and carelessly aging three years. During the college years, these nights have come to claim themselves as bar nights, and BC students have chosen to take full advantage of them, even when they may not be legally able to. Although the majority of bars and clubs remain options strictly for students of the legal drinking age, BC's younger crowd has collectively decided that the Mods and off-campus parties just aren't cutting it anymore, and are looking toward these venues to entertain themselves.

As second semester begins to pick up, the number of students who obtain fake IDs continues to rise, causing many of the local bars around BC to struggle  with the choice between running a more successful business or adhering to the law. The city continues to crack down on serving alcohol to minors with the launch of local anti-underage drinking campaigns such as "We Don't Serve Teens," as well as the enforcement of ID scanners and raids by Boston area police. But, many bars and students could be left without  a choice.

Since the National Minimum Drinking Age Act was passed in 1984, college students nationwide have attempted to cheat the system in the form of obtaining fake IDs. In the past few years, the use of fake IDs has dramatically increased with the help of websites such as idchief.com, that allow virtually any underage drinker to order two identical IDs for a fee of $100. Compared to other ID gimmicks, these sites claim to make the most legitimate IDs, which not only contain realistic holograms and symbols but also blacklight and scan. As bouncers and storeowners become more effective at recognizing a real ID from a fake ID, legitimacy becomes key.

The real question that emerges from all this is, why exactly is having an ID so crucial for BC students and college students citywide? For Virgynia Muma, A&S '14, it's the factor of convenience. "Many events that BC students attend take place at bars. Sometimes it's hard to find parties on campus or even off campus, so bars become an easy go-to for the weekend," she said.  

Cal Scannel, A&S '14, who currently does not own an ID, feels that many strive to obtain an ID for the main purpose of feeling included in things: "It's hard to watch my roommates go out on Thursdays to the bars when I know I can't." Muma also agrees  that the idea of feeling like you're missing out on something is what pushes many to spend the pricey $100 on the ID.

While some students see a fake ID as the key to a successful and fun night, it can easily become a factor that puts them in the middle of a lot of trouble. Although legal penalties for getting caught with an ID vary from state to state, the Alcohol Beverage Control Commission of Boston states that if underage drinkers get caught using a fake ID, the state could bring criminal charges against them and fine up to $500.

John King, the director of public safety and chief of  the BCPD, explains that although they have not confiscated many IDs, they do serve as a problem when it comes to students' safety. "If a student is hurt or unresponsive and has a fake ID on them, it makes our job harder, since we are unable to identify them," he said.  In the grand scheme of things, King said, IDs are not necessarily a pressing issue for them. Safety on campus for all students is BCPD's top priority, and lowering the use of IDs would help cater to this but is something that they do not have much control over.

King also comments on the fact that IDs lure students off campus to where the bars and clubs are. "We want all social events to be run safely," he said. "Campus is essentially safer for students because they have options available to them such as Eagle EMS, Eagle Trans, and BCPD. Collectively, we are able to better control what is going on." King also noted that although they are not directly affiliated with the bars in Cleveland Circle and around BC, they do follow up with them at the beginning of each semester.

Despite the strictness that bars have been enforcing in recent weeks, students continue to use their fakes and find ways around the system. While some scope out the few bars that opt not to scan, others befriend bouncers or dress to appear older.

Then, of course, there is the playing of the Division I athlete card, tactfully played by one infamous team on campus. Whatever way it may be, students will find one way or another to experience the life of a twenty-one year old while still enjoying their teenage years.