“Cracking down on those who take drugs or drink and then drive is a year round commitment for Warwickshire and West Mercia.”- West Mercia Police. “Law enforcement officers across West Alabama will be aggressively seeking drunk drivers and arresting anyone who is driving impaired.” – Assistant Director Tasha Washington (“Crimson Beat”). The dangers of drunk driving are being highlighted as a part of a festive countdown on motorists who put people’s lives at risk by not following the law (Harris, 1). MADD (Mothers against Drunk Driving) serves a victim or survivor of drunk driving every ten minutes. Since 1980 MADD has nearly saves 300,000 lives…and
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.
This is an issue as it is generally in a drunken environment; a research has been said that alcohol was involved in almost three-quarters of deaths recorded between 2000 and 2012. The one hit issue is when a person, usually drunk, throws a punch and the victim is knocked down and never regains consciousness. This is a regulatory offence; a criminal offence. Laws regarding the one punch legislation include the time spent in gaol with a minimum of eight years and a maximum of twenty years under the new laws by the NSW government. These laws have affected society as previous laws regarding one punch assaults caused controversy within the NSW society and government.
CHAPTER 9 * old days youth 14 and older were tried in adult court and sent to adult prison - 1982 came out with the Young Offenders Act Q: Why have the 1982 Young Offenders Act? A: Society’s view of young people simply evolved and changed Under YOA – 18 Under Juvenile Delinquents Act – 16 * transfer to adult court only if serious crime is committed by a kid 14-17 years of age Disposition – the sentence a judge gives in youth court 6 Dispositions: 1. Absolute discharge – you are found guilty but let off eg 1st time offenders 2. Fines – maximum is $1000 (youth has to pay, not the parents) 3. Compensation – pay back victim 4.
“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).
What is more frightening is 11 percent of all alcohol consumed in the United State is by 12 to 20-year olds; most of the time these people can get a hold of alcohol for free. This amount of underage drinking can cause a person to become more aggressive, which can lead to increased violence, injuries, and death. Sadly, within the United States, more than 4,000 people under the age of 21 die due to underage drinking. Many of which are from motor vehicle crashes and homicides, then with nearly 500 committing suicide on average after consuming alcohol.
Class B drugs include amphetamines, cannabis, and Ritalin. The possession of any of these is up to five years in prison or an unlimited fine. When it comes to dealing it could be up to fourteen years in prison. The last one, Class C, includes tranquilizers, some painkillers, GHB, and ketamine. The possession penalty if caught with possession of any of these substances is up to two years in prison and if caught dealing up to fourteen years in prison.
The enforcement of the 21 year old drinking age has implemented a culture of serious binge drinking, and has become a nation-wide epidemic amongst high school students, college-aged individuals, and full grown adults. The negative effects from the current drinking age are doing nothing but harm towards society as a whole, and it must be repealed
''Over 1,000 studies point overwhelmingly to a causal connection between media violence and aggressive behavior in some children.". The effects of media violence on society,especially children and teenagers, are doubtlessly very negative. Several studies done in the United States and Canada have shown a positive relationship between early exposure to television violence and physical aggressiveness in later life. Media exposure leads to a desensitization to violence and is associated with violent and aggressive behavior, bullying, fear, depression, nightmares and sleep disorders. The results of a longitudinal study tracked 700 male and female youths over a fifteen-year period.
www.abclocal.go.com. February 17, 2011, web retrieved: http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?section=news/local/northern_suburbs&id=7965273 10/17/11.) There are many consequences for teens that drink alcohol. An immediate consequence of teenage drinking is physical injury; this includes hangovers or severe illnesses. Teenage drinking affects the academic achievements of many teens that drink; in some cases that involves poor or failing grades and excessive absences.