Is the legal drinking age 25 now, or is it still 21?

The age limits on alcohol sales and consumption in Louisiana remain the same. Reports of the drinking age rising to 25 stemmed from an Internet hoax.

State law says residents must be at least 21 to buy or consume alcohol. Eighteen-year-olds may enter bars, but they can’t drink unless they’re accompanied by a parent, guardian or spouse who is at least 21.

That exception, along with a few others, originated with the National Minimum Drinking Age Act of 1984, a law that forced states to boost their drinking ages or risk losing federal highway funds.

Louisiana fully complied with law in 1995 — the last state to do so — closing a loophole that made it illegal for people 18-20 to buy alcohol but not illegal for alcohol to be sold to them.

The new law was ruled unconstitutional by the state Supreme Court in early 1996, but the justices — one having been replaced by another in the interim — changed their position after then-Attorney General Richard Ieyoub asked them to reconsider their ruling.

The other alcohol consumption exceptions listed in state law:

“For an established religious purpose.”

“For medical purposes when purchased as an over the counter medication, or when prescribed or administered by a licensed physician, pharmacist, dentist, nurse, hospital, or medical institution.”

“In private residences.”

“The sale, handling, transport, or service in dispensing of any alcoholic beverage pursuant to lawful ownership of an establishment or to lawful employment of a person under twenty-one years of age by a duly licensed manufacturer, wholesaler, or retailer of beverage alcohol.”

A final note: It’s illegal for anyone other than of-age parents, guardians or spouses to buy alcohol for those younger than 21.

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Online: www.legis.la.gov; www.atc.rev.state.la.us.

District 5 did work at owner’s request

On Aug. 25, Calcasieu Parish dug out a drainage ditch on private property on White Cap Road. It took heavy equipment and several man hours. Why did they do it?

The work was performed by Ward 4 Gravity Drainage District 5 at the request of a property owner, who said the ditch hadn’t been looked after in a while, said Ricky Blackwell, district superintendent.

“This is what we do,” he said. Blackwell said the ditch the crew worked on provides drainage for three parcels of land.

For more information, call the district office at 625-3851.

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The Informer answers questions from readers each Sunday, Monday and Wednesday. It is researched and written by Andrew Perzo, an American Press staff writer. To ask a question, call 494-4098 and leave voice mail, or email informer@americanpress.com.(MGNonline)