The medical irresponsibility of allowing teenagers to drink alcohol on a legal basis is also obvious to those who have basic knowledge. Consuming alcohol on a regular basis can negatively affect the development of an individual’s brain’s frontal lobes, which are responsible for emotional regulations, as well as planning and organizing. Underage individuals who consume alcohol put themselves at more risks of addiction, decreased ability of decision-making, tend to behave less responsibly, and may become violent, depressed, and even prone to suicide. The so called “trickle-down effect”, well known to sociologists, is another reason against lowering drinking age which should be taken into consideration. This effect implies to individuals who already have a right to purchase alcohol and consume alcohol, while also tend to buy it for their younger
Teenage Drinking Raising the drinking age to 25 years old will prevent teenage drinking. “The strongest evidence for reducing alcohol-related harm is by increasing the price and reducing the availability”(Raising legal). Alcohol is a dangerous drug that causes accidents and deaths every year. Every year there are records of driving while intoxicated for under age drinkers. So raising the age of which you can consume alcohol will result in less accidents and deaths caused by drinking.
Unfortunately many states have taken the easy road and have become over-reliant on the federal government for support. In return they are forced to relinquish power and freedom. This is one of the “cons” to following the federal mandate of the universal MLDA of 21. The main argument against lowering the MLDA again, is the inevitable rise in drunken driving related deaths. In the 1960’s and 1970’s when many states had lowered the MLDA, besides the rise in drunk-driving deaths, studies showed that people raised from childhood in under-21 states were involved in higher rates of alcohol and drug use as adults, and had a higher rate of homicides and suicides.
Consequences of Underage Drinking & A Lower MLDA Health Issues • Individuals who start drinking earlier than age 21 are more likely to be a driver in a motor vehicle crash, be injured, and be in a physical fight, according to a recent study. The younger the individual, the more likely he or she will experience these The cost of pain and suffering top a outcomes after drinking.10 • Repeated use of alcohol during adolescence can lead to deficits in cognitive abilities, including learning and memory. • Heavy drinking during adolescence and young adulthood is associated with poor cognitive functioning in young adulthood.11 • Serious chronic diseases involving the liver, heart, and digestive system are associated with heavy alcohol consumption.
“More than 1,700 college students in the U.S. are killed each year—about 4.65 a day—as a result of alcohol-related injuries” (The Marin Institute). With a number as high as this, lowering the drinking age would only increase this ongoing problem of underage drinking. It has even been proven by the Marin Institute to be the leading cause of death among teenagers. Many adults feel as if the 18 to 21 age groups cannot handle drinking responsibly, then they should not be permitted to use it. Alcohol is a very serious depressant and one of the leading problems for death (Hanson, 2007).
Many believe that reducing the drinking age would be an opportunity to increase safety in under-twenty-one drinkers, and reduce yearly fatalities. “In 1999…New Zealand lowered the drinking age from 20 to 18 and…alcohol-related crashes involving 15-to-19-year-olds subsequently fell” (Sanghavi). Public safety is better now than it was in 1984, “thanks to the effective public advocacy of organizations [such as] Mothers Against Drunk Driving” (McCardell). Also, “we are far more aware of the risks of drinking and driving” and “[a]utomobiles are much safer” (McCardell). “Alcohol related fatalities have declined over the past 25 years…in all age groups” (McCardell).
It has lasting effects on a developing brain of a teenager, it can affect everyday life, and the long term effects of alcohol can permanently damage one's body. We should educate teenagers to the dangers of alcohol and keep them away from it. Alcohol, like any other thing you put into your body, breaks down at a certain rate. This is known as your metabolism. On average, your body can metabolize about one drink per hour.
Lowering MLDA 21 would be medically irresponsible because the brain's frontal lobes, essential for functions such as emotional regulation, planning, and organization, continue to develop through adolescence and young adulthood. Alcohol consumption can interfere with this development, potentially causing chronic problems such as greater vulnerability to addiction, dangerous risk-taking behavior, reduced decision-making ability, memory loss, depression, violence, and suicide. [20][21][22][23] Lowering MLDA 21 to 18 will irresponsibly allow a greater segment of the population to drink alcohol in bars and nightclubs, which are not safe environments. 76% of bars have sold alcohol to obviously intoxicated patrons [43], and about half of drivers
Changing drinking alcohol age limit from 21 to 18 would definitely to make a positive difference inside of the household. Teenagers would be more responsible for their actions. "American society has determined that upon turning 18 teenagers become adults’’ (Responsibility).There is a fact actually a law that an 18 years old teenager can vote, buy cigarettes, and serve in military in the United States, why not allowed them to drink or purchase drinking alcohol (Responsibility). There is also a law states that a16 years of age teenager can obtain a driving license in Texas. If a 16 years of age teenager given a driver license in Department of Public Safety Texas and this indicates that this 16 years old teenager would be
Marijuana use in general has a higher risk of car accidents, losing jobs and not being on time for work. Research has shown that marijuana use has had long negative effects on the brain. Heavy marijuana users at a young age tend to lose as much as