alcohol-related traffic crashes (e.g. Kypri et al, 2006, Ponicki et al 2007, Schults et al 2001), and lower rates of crime and suicide among persons below age 21 (e.g., see reviews in Cook 2007, Carpenter et al 2007, and Wagenaar and Toomey 2002). However, very few studies have considered whether under age drinking policies might have persistent effects beyond the age of 21.; Birkmayer and Hemenway (1999) found that states with a more lenient MLDA had no difference in the suicide rate for persons aged 15 to 17, but had an 8% higher suicide rate among persons aged 18 to 20, (P<.01), and a 6% higher suicide rate among persons age 21–24 (p < .05). Four studies have found that young adults exposed to lower legal drinking ages were more likely to continue to be episodic heavy drinkers in their early 20’s (Cook and Moore 2001, Moore and Cook 1995, O’Malley and Wagenaar 1991, and Pacula 1997). We are unaware of any previous studies evaluating the persistent effects of youth alcohol policies among subjects in their 30’s or beyond,
