Statistics have shown each approximately 5,500 young people at the age of twenty-one died of the result of underage drinking; this includes about 2,000 deaths in automobile crashes, 3,000 as a result of homicides and 500 from suicides. Although, many adolescents drink responsibly or is abstain all together, binge drinking is an enormous problem. It is very important as a parent or guardian to talk to adolescents about the risk and consequences of binge drinking can have on
Should I drink tonight? All my friends drink I might as well join.” Every high school student goes through an experience relating to this event. Underage drinking is a problem in society today, just how big is the problem, the consequences of partaking in underage drinking, why are kids doing it and what can the society as a whole do to reduce the issue. Everyone knows underage drinking is a problem in the US, but just how big is the problem? “Alcohol is so popular that it is the most common used and abused drug among youth in the United States, more than
(2002). "Alcohol use disorders in adolescents: epidemiology, diagnosis, psychosocial interventions, and pharmacological treatment.” Paediatr Drugs 4 (8): 493–502). Up to one third of kids that binge drink has a six percent chance of reaching the limit of having an alcohol related substance use disorder. Approximately one in twenty five women binge drink during pregnancy, which can lead to fetal alcohol syndrome and fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. Binge drinking during adolescence is associated with traffic accidents and other types of accident, violent behavior as well as suicide.
The first point people have against lowering the drinking age make is that most 18-year olds are mature enough. They believe that young adults do not know when to stop and that they will just drink until they have alcohol poisoning. The second point opposes make is that lowering the drinking age will create alcoholics. They believe that even at 18-years old people are susceptible to gaining a dependence on something like alcohol. If the drinking age is 21 then by that time they will have a strong mind to not be dependent.
Many young people are experiencing the consequences of drinking too much, at too early an age. As a result, underage drinking is a leading public health problem in this country. Each year, approximately 5,000 young people under the age of 21 die as a result of underage drinking; this includes about 1,900 deaths from motor vehicle crashes, 1,600 as a result of homicides, 300 from suicide, as well as hundreds from other injuries such as falls, burns, and drowning. (1) 2 – Influence of Environment on Alcohol Consumption by Minors The consumption of alcohol by minors occurs in an environment saturated by advertising of alcoholic beverages on television, in billboards, at sporting events and
Whether the legal drinking age should be lowered to eighteen or remain at twenty one is a big issue right now to lots of people. The younger crowd will most likely argue that it should be lowered to eighteen, but they have many legit reasons why it should be. The legal drinking age should be lowered because it is already easily accessible to them, the percentage of reckless teen alcohol abusers will be reduced and also because at the age of eighteen you are legally considered an adult. Almost all teens between the ages of 14-17 have tried alcohol before. Majority of the time it is given to them by someone between the ages of 18-21.
Under age teens will drink less than they did before since the thrill of is gone. They will not drink as much as they would before because they know that drinking can occur more often and will not binge drink. Under age teens binge drink because they do not know when they will have the opportunity to drink again. When high school graduates go to college, they must drink secretly, and only some students are of age to drink. By lowering the age it gives every college student the right to
But the main reason for doing so is “breaking the law.” 87% of high school seniors have used alcohol. That means that a large quantity of teens under the age of 17 to 18 have used alcohol before. We all know the reason why teenager drink, is common since. Just the feel that they get of breaking the law is huge. Being rebel and not following the rules is an important role of a teenager life somehow.
The article goes on to say that several studies show that the lowered MLDA in the 29 states had an immediate impact on motor vehicles crashes increased among teens. This shows that the decrease in the MLDA affected the teenagers in a negative way by allowing them to drink at a younger less mature age. Another concern with lowering the drinking age is negative on teen’s health. Under the age of 21 your brain is still developing. During this development alcohol negatively affects all parts of the brain, including coordination, motional control, thinking, decision making, hand-eye movement, speech, and memory (Pg.2 Par.6).
While under the influence of alcohol, most people find their ability to think rationally leaves them, especially those who are under age and are not prepared for the feelings alcohol can bring out. A decision given to us to make while drunk may have a negative emotional outcome, compared to the outcome from making that decision while we are sober. For example, I remember being an under age teen on the weekend nights hanging out with some of my older friends; drinking always got me into trouble. They would supply the beer and later on that night my ability to think rationally usually flew out the window. I thought since they were older they must be wiser, so what ever they told me to do I pretty much did it.