PrimeTime: Deadly 21st Birthdays (2024)

ByABC News

December 12, 2000, 7:21 PM

Oct. 19 -- At midnight on his 21st birthday, Brad McCue, a Michigan State University junior, went with his friends to a local bar in East Lansing to celebrate.

Twenty-four shots later, he had beaten his friends' record of downing 23 shots, and his friends had scribbled the number 24 on his forehead to remind him the next morning of just how many drinks he'd had.

But Brad never woke up.

Cause of death: ethanol poisoning after consuming a large amount of alcoholic beverage within a short period of time.

Across the country, college students partake in this rite of passage some call "21 for 21," in which they drink their age in shots. According to some parents, college students and health professionals, such high-risk drinking, which one university official calls "celebratory drinking," is an epidemic.

A Cultural Expectation

"Celebratory drinking is a real problem," says Dennis Martell, of Michigan State's health center, "because some of these people never drank like that before."

Martell explains that the phenomenon is particularly dangerous because "it's the time when all rules are abandoned and you drink excessively with intense pressure or competition from peers."

"I really hadn't ever drank like this before," says Nick Meese, an Arizona State University student who was hospitalized after attempting to down 21 shots in one hour. "I felt like my insides were being ripped out of me. I had bleeding and the blood was in my vomit too … I felt so horrible on my birthday."

The problem is compounded, explains Martell, by a cultural expectation. "Most people just think they have to go through it," he says. "Whether it's prom or graduation or a 21st birthday, suddenly the rules change."

Encouraging Responsible Drinking

According to Dr. Dean Sienko, the medical examiner who watched Brad die of acute alcohol poisoning, excessive drinking "is the most serious public health problem that you face as a university community, as a community that works with young people."

PrimeTime: Deadly 21st Birthdays (2024)

FAQs

What does turning 21 symbolize? ›

The 21st birthday is a remarkable milestone that signifies the transition from adolescence to adulthood. This pivotal occasion is marked by legal rights and newfound responsibilities, as young individuals step into a new chapter of life.

Is 21 shots possible? ›

21 Shots for Your 21st Birthday

Drinking 21 shots of alcohol in one sitting can be life-threatening for anyone. It's dangerous and it can kill you! The average shot is 1.5 ounces and has at least 30% alcohol.

What does it mean to take 21 shots on your 21st birthday? ›

Taking 21 shots on your 21st birthday is a trend that has been swooping up fresh of-agers. The goal is to take 21 shots without throwing up — like a champ, basically. This has mainly been a big trend with women turning 21.

Why is 21 so special? ›

Origin of 21st Birthday Key Tradition

Society has evolved since medieval times. For a long while, twenty one was considered the legal age signifying the reaching of adulthood and independence — when you can legally purchase alcohol and tobacco and could officially own land, make a will, and vote.

Why is 21 a key birthday? ›

Key pendants are customarily given as a present on the 21st birthday. This tradition dates from the times when at twenty-one, you were considered old enough to be a key-holder to your family's home, and thus hold a symbolical 'senior' position in the family.

What is your 21 birthday called? ›

The Jewel in The Crown

Here, the 21st birthday is typically known as the 'crown year,' because supposedly this is the year in which young adults start being treated like kings and queens. Not quite in the same ballpark as being knighted, but if this was the rule in my house (or should that be palace?)

How many drinks should you have on your 21st birthday? ›

"Just because you're legal age now doesn't mean you should go crazy or do something that will be dangerous or make you feel gross. If you're going to celebrate, remember 4 drinks for females and 5 drinks for males is enough to make most people legally intoxicated. So, count your drinks.

Will 7 shots get you drunk? ›

Going above four shots of alcohol can easily get you drunk, especially if you are a lightweight or have a low tolerance for alcohol. However, it's important to note that everyone's body responds differently to alcohol, so there is no set number of shots.

Is 21 a drinking game? ›

21, Bagram, or Twenty Plus One is a drinking game. The game progresses by counting up from 1 to 21, with the player who calls "21" suffering a drinking penalty before the next round starts. The loser may add 1 new rule to the game, and starts the new round.

Why 21 is legal? ›

To encourage a national drinking age, Congress enacted the national MLDA. A review by the U.S. General Accounting Office, conducted in 1988, found that raising the drinking age reduced youth drinking, youth driving after drinking, and alcohol-related traffic accidents among youth.

Is a 21st birthday a milestone birthday? ›

Birthdays and anniversaries: The 21st birthday is often celebrated as a significant milestone, representing the entrance into adulthood. Additionally, the 21st wedding anniversary is sometimes considered a noteworthy occasion.

What drinks to try when you turn 21? ›

Now that you are legally allowed to consume alcohol, here are a few drinks to taste for your 21st birthday.
  • Rum punch. You can't go wrong with rum punch for your 21st birthday drink. ...
  • Mimosa. Mimosas are a staple brunch co*cktail you can find on almost every menu. ...
  • Sangria. ...
  • Long Island iced tea. ...
  • Moscow mule. ...
  • Ginger spritz.

What is the best message for a 21st birthday? ›

21st Birthday Message Ideas: What to Write in a Card or Text
  • 21st Birthday Message Inspiration. ...
  • Congratulations on Reaching this Milestone! ...
  • Embrace the Adventure Ahead! ...
  • Always Believe in Yourself! ...
  • Thank You for Being You! ...
  • Welcome to Adulthood! ...
  • Celebrating Your Achievements. ...
  • The Best is Yet to Come.

Why 21 is an important age in America? ›

21 is the minimum age limit for many activities, hence its importance. In the US, one cannot purchase cigarettes and alcohol before that age, and many states ban the possession or purchase of guns by those under 21.

Why is 21 a special number? ›

21 is the first member of the second cluster of consecutive discrete semiprimes (21, 22), where the next such cluster is (33, 34, 35). 21 is the first Blum integer, since it is a semiprime with both its prime factors being Gaussian primes. 21 is also the first non-trivial octagonal number.

What symbolizes 21st birthday? ›

The 21st birthday signified the start of an adult life and the independence it brings with it. Traditionally when a person became 21 he or she would leave the parental home for pastures new.

What is the significance of the 21? ›

Because greater quantities of gunpowder could be stored on dry land, forts could fire three rounds for every one fired at sea — hence the number 21. With the improvement of naval gunpowder, honors rendered at sea increased to 21, as well. The 21-gun salute eventually became the international standard.

What does it mean if your birthday is on the 21st? ›

Consequently, the 21st birthday is often celebrated with enthusiasm and revelry, symbolizing a newfound social acceptance and the beginning a new chapter in one's life. Symbolism and Numerology: In numerology, the study of numbers and their spiritual significance, 21 holds a special place.

What is special about number 21? ›

21 is the first member of the second cluster of consecutive discrete semiprimes (21, 22), where the next such cluster is (33, 34, 35). 21 is the first Blum integer, since it is a semiprime with both its prime factors being Gaussian primes. 21 is also the first non-trivial octagonal number.

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