“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).
Lorianne Berbano November 28, 2011 Rogerian Essay Eng100, Emma White Lower The Legal Drinking Age At the age of 18, you are already considered as an adult, so why do you have to be 21 to purchase or consume alcohol? There has been multiple debates over the years whether or not the age of 18 should be the appropriate legal drinking age than the age of 21 here in the United States. There are numerous theories as to why 18 should be the legal drinking age. As an adult you can do whatever you want and have your freedom of rights. The legal drinking age should be lowered to 18 because most teens under 21 drink anyways.
“Alcohol related fatalities have declined over the past 25 years…in all age groups” (McCardell). By lowering the drinking age we could educate drinkers earlier, not only with knowledge, but practical, useable experience in a controlled environment. In college, most people under twenty-one will drink, regardless of the law, and will do so with little to no experience, increasing the chance of risky
The Drinking Age Should Not Be Lowered to 18 Sources across the globe have debated the idea of lowering the minimum drinking age in the United States. “There are 10.1 million underage drinkers in the United States... 39% of current 8th graders, 58% of 10th graders, 72% of 12th graders, and 85% of college students have tried alcohol”. ("Should the drinking age be lowered from 21 to a younger age, “2011)? The current minimum drinking age is 21, and many proponents of lowering the drinking age seek to have it set at the age 18. The drinking age should not be lowered to 18.
During the 1970’s reports showed that teenage car accidents increased in states where the MLDA had been lowered from 21 years old. This in turn prompted Congress to help alleviate the problem by passing the National Minimum Drinking Age Act of 1984. Although the federal government has no constitutional basis for setting a MLDA, it has
It’s a proven success. Nearly every state that has raised the drinking age to 21 has produced a significant drop in the teenage driving fatalities” (Nayaka 193). There has been further evidence that portrays that law since been effective has caused those under the age of 21 to drink less in their youth and less later in their 20’s. Lowering the age also declined the access to of alcohol to minors, thus also not allowing for them to participate in underage drinking (Roleff 86). These laws were in place in order to maintain the protection of the youth and such evidence has shown that these laws are holding true to their original
Alcohol: Underage drinking in the United States is widespread problem. Alcohol is ranked the highest for most abused substance within the United States, posing many problems for the youth. Some of the reasons one under 21 might drink is due to peer pressure, increased independence, or stress. The numbers can be alarming as by age 15, already a third of teens have had a drink, and then by 18, 60 percent of teens have had a drink. 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.
It also found that 14 per cent of men and 11 per cent of women drink every day and 6 per cent of men drink more than a week's recommended alcohol intake in one night. Deaths from cirrhosis of the liver caused by alcohol abuse have doubled in the past 10 years and the condition in young people has increased eight-fold. Cirrhosis is killing more women than cervical cancer and more men than Parkinson's
Every year, nearly 15,000 people die from overdoses involving these drugs. The number of overdose deaths is now greater than those of deaths from heroin
In addition it is estimated that alcohol contributes to 75,000 deaths a year. So the effects of alcohol weigh out those of marijuana