The Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Commission will meet at Drake University Tueaday to discuss the future of Everclear and other high-proof alcohols in the state of Iowa.

Last year, they decided to restrict the 190-proof version of Everclear, so today, only 151-proof is available.

Soon, Everclear might be on the chopping block alltogether.

It all began in November, with a 19-year-old Drake University student, who, as part of fraternity hazing, ingested too much Everclear and ended up in the hospital with a blood-alcohol content of about 0.50.

Luckily, he lived.

Soon after, the ban was proposed. But it’s the wrong move. Beginning an Everclear prohibition won’t address the issues at hand.

First, there’s fraternity hazing. As greek community leaders at Drake (or Iowa State, for that matter) will tell you, it isn’t tolerated. Two of the fraternity members have been charged with hazing, and the chapter has been suspended. Hopefully others will learn from their bad example.

Second, there’s the general lack of understanding and respect for alcohol among college students everywhere. That’s an issue larger than this editorial, but may involve the way the 21 year old drinking age infantalizes young adults, who come to college and cut loose without much prior exposure to alcohol.

The Drake case could have just as easily involved an alcohol-poisoned student who’d had too much vodka or whiskey, though. Changing the proof of the poison doesn’t change the mentality.

Proponents of the ban say that there’s no legitimate purpose for a beverage that’s 75 percent alcohol, but said proponents have obviously never had homeade apple schnapps.

For some, pusuit of happiness involves kicking back with some friends and enjoying a glass of jungle juice. Who are we to argue?

The truth is, by virtue of living in a free society, we allow the opportunity for individuals to make choices that can affect them negatively.

Life can’t be idiot-proofed. If the state of Iowa is going to try, though, we suggest they at least make it a valiant effort.

Right in the center of Iowa (a few miles northeast of Ames), we’ll build a big pile of everything that we poor, hapless citizens could possibly use to injure ourselves.

And then we’ll burn the pile.

We’re not just talking booze. If it has capacity to cause harm, it goes in the pile. That means non-safety scissors, soda pop and fried chicken (obesity), lottery tickets, cigarettes and cigars,  Playboy magazine (think of the children), and much, much more.

Once we throw on the Everclear, the whole thing should burn quite nicely, we think.

Let us know what you think! Is a ban on Everclear a good idea? Visit us online at www.iowastatedaily.net/opinion to cast your vote. The results will be printed in next week’s paper.