El Paso, TX -- She’s not 21 years old yet, but Silvia Torres admits that she’s had a drink.

“But not illegally, “ the 20-year-old said. “I did it in Mexico where it’s legal.”

Torres is not the only one who had a drink before they reached the legal drinking age. Rio Grande Safe Communities reports that last year, El Paso police had more than 5,400 citations and arrests for alcohol violations such as public intoxication and driving while intoxicated. The report states that 31 percent of the individuals were younger than age 21. And recent surveys show that 20 percent of college students in El Paso drink two to three times a week.

To address the issue of college drinking, college leaders from across the country are advocating lowering the drinking age from 21 to 18. The Amethyst Initiative supporters said that if drinking wasn’t so taboo, they could address the issue more openly. Supporters said it could help curb binge drinking on campuses.

More than 100 college presidents from across the country are supporting the Amethyst Initiative movement, including those from prestigious universities such as Duke, Ohio State and Morehouse. Texas A. & M. in west Texas has also signed on the movement.

KFOX made several calls to UTEP, but university officials did not comment on the issue.

"I believe that people that are under 21 still drink, so you might as well lower the age to make it legal," said Torres.

"It should stay the same, at the legal age of 21," said UTEP student Adrian Mendoza.

Mendoza noted that people are more mature at age 21 than they are at 18.

“I always thought that if you tell a child not to have a cookie they want it more,” said UTEP student Carmen Ayala. “So I agree that it should be lowered."

Rio Grande Safe Communities Coalition El Paso thinks drinking early leads to brain damage and other problems.

"You're going to open up a whole new group of drinkers, young adults being more alcoholics," said executive director Mary Ellen Hernandez.