Alcoholism is a serious medical problem in our country. Criminal justice experts have estimated that at least 75-80% of defendants included in felony crimes or serious misdemeanors were either under the influence of alcohol or drugs when they committed their crime or they did their mistake/mistakes to survive because they had lost their financial resources due to their addiction. Work productivity has been lowered due to divorce, suicide, increased medical problems, and also school drop-out rate. These are only a few problems caused by alcoholism. Studies have shown that for the most part, we have increased the probability that our child or children will not have a problem with alcohol or drugs.
Before the drinking age was raised 46% of people said they were vomiting after drinking, but that increased to 50% after they changed the age. For kids cutting class, it went from 9% to 12%. Missing class because of a hangover jumped from 26% to 28%. Some people argue that teens are getting lower grades because of drinking, but that percentage went from 5% to 7%. Adults may also argue that drinking may cause kids to get in fights and cause trouble.
In 1995, there were a total of 6,992 DUI arrests, and in 2005 there were 7,942 DUI arrests. In 1998, there were 9,562 DUI arrests (Phoenix Police Department, 2005). So, the number of arrests is starting to come down. I don’t know if this is because there are less drunk drivers or because our laws have become stricter. I do know that Robert Targosz’s death has made the local police officers more aware that our laws need to be more severe and more actions need to be put in place to help stop drunk drivers from ever getting into the vehicle in the first
Plans to Eliminate College Binge Drinking Nearly half of today’s college student population is stumbling through the college years due to binge drinking. Binge drinking on college campuses isn’t just an issue of public health, but it’s one of self-interest. Failure to act in the face of foreseeable harm places schools at risk for damaging their academic reputations and liability lawsuits in millions of dollars. Also, students experience a wide variety of alcohol related problems including hangovers, blackouts, and engaging in unplanned sexual activity. According to Lini Kadaba’s article, Colleges Hitting the Bottle Binge Drinking Remains High, but Initiatives at Area Schools Raising Awareness, “College binge drinking is remaining in colleges due to the intractable problems that contribute to 1,700 student deaths, 599,000 injuries, and 97,000 cases of sexual assault, or date rapes.” (24).
Lowering the drinking age to 18 will lead to under age drinking in bars and nightclubs, which are known to be unsafe environments. Studies have shown that fatal car accident happen after nightclub and bar outings. About 1900 people under the age of 21 die in car accidents related to underage drinking every year.
Professor Zapolski mentions of a survey that reports,“ High school seniors, about 20 percent binge drinks, consuming more than 5 drinks in one occasion.” This shows how much an high school student will and can drink before reaching 20 years old. Professor Tina Watson states a research done by Christopher Carpenter and Carlos Dobkins who suggested, “ Arrest rates for violent and nuisance crimes rise sharply at age 21 though at least age 23.” Both claims that drinking at the legal age has caused a rise in crime and criminal behavior in young adults. Yet, many think that lowering or keeping it the same age will benefit and educate young adults. Professor Steinberg believes, “ Lowering the drinking age to 19, which would help solve the problem of illegal drinking on campus.” Steinberg claims lowering the age to 19 will prevent illegal activities on campus. Professor Glaser expresses.“ America’s 18 -year-old have the right to vote, marry, buy a gun and join the military."
An average of 17,000 individuals die each year in drink driving related deaths. The numbers have come down slightly , for example, in 2010 10,228 individuals died from drink driving related fatalities, drink driving continues to be an enormously important public safety issue. What is more, drinking and driving is strongly correlated with youth. After the age of 25, the drink driving rates rapidly decrease. It seems quite plausible that were alcohol to be illegal for those under the age of 18, the 15.1% of 18 to 20 year olds who drink before getting behind the wheel would decrease significantly.
Organized crime on the illegal trade of alcohol became big business. Alcohol consumption did decrease during this time period because alcohol got so expensive, but, people died each year due to poisoned liquor made at home or at industries that did not have all the additives removed. If people
One of the biggest and oldest organization that has been against drunk driving is MADD- which stand for mothers against drunk driving. The organization was founded by Candy Lightner in the year 1980 when her 13 year old girl Cari was killed by a drunk driver. The organization grew stronger and powerful by the years to eliminate drunk drivers. The organization is campaigning to eliminate drunk driving and help support victims, the four main reasons for the campaign are as
Health issues are already a problem amongst heavy drinkers or binge drinkers, such as liver damage and kidney failure. By lowering the age limit, this allows the teens to develop these issues sooner. Especially since majority of teens who drink illegally now, drink until they are completely obliviated. This could possibly allow them to understand the concept of determining how much is too much as well as saving them from at least a few years of damage to their health. Another concern is rape and or other unintended sexual activity and how it has become a constant concern amongst teenage drinkers, by keeping the age limit at 21 this can also reduce the likeliness of such detrimental activities.