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Is It Time to Lower the Drinking Age?

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Is It Time to Lower the Drinking Age?
Is It Time to Lower the Drinking Age? Over 5000 deaths occur from alcohol-related actions each year (McCardell).
Binge drinking, a major issue among underage drinkers, is defined as having at least 5 drinks on one occasion (Kiesbye 21). The US is one of just four countries with an age requirement of 21. Only Islamic countries have more restrictive drinking laws. (Kiesbye 26).
The minimum age of 21 passed Congress in 1984 (Balko). Vermont fought the law concerning the minimum age all the way to Supreme Court, but they lost the case (Balko).
At age 18, a person may do many adult things. They can fight and die for their country, vote, get married, and sign legal contracts. Why can’t -¬¬¬¬¬¬they drink (Kiesbye 39)? The age with the highest risk for fatality from alcohol-related accidents shows exposure away from the home may not be safest. Is it time to lower the legal drinking age so young adults can have exposure legally at home in a safer environment? (Balko) Admittedly, lowering the drinking age has had benefits on a person’s health and has decreased suicide rates (“Legal Drinking”). For example, alcohol can have negative consequences by causing the drinker to suffer declines in cognitive abilities within the next few years (“Legal Drinking”). Additionally, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) claims that the legal drinking age being 21, as opposed to 18, has saved more than 21,000 lives (Kiesbye 26). Just as well, Europe is oftentimes used as a model for more lenient drinking laws. However, evidence does show that youth in Europe have a higher likelihood of problems due to alcohol (“Legal Drinking”). To summarize, teenagers are more at risk to have brain damage later in life and other health related issues when introduced to alcohol at a young age (“Legal Drinking”). Indeed, lowering the drinking age may have adverse effects on one’s health. However, with other countries having more positive outcomes due to the lower drinking ages, changing times,


Bibliography: Balko, Radley. "Efforts to Lower the Drinking Age Have Both Supporters and Detractors." Should the Legal Drinking Age Be Lowered? Ed. Stefan Kiesbye. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2013. At Issue. Rpt. from "Back to 18?: A New Chorus of Critics Say It 's Time to Lower the Drinking Age." Reason.com (12 Apr. 2007). Gale Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 10 Dec. 2012. Chafetz, Morris E. "The Legal Drinking Age Does Not Prevent Teens from Drinking."Should the Legal Drinking Age Be Lowered? Ed. Stefan Kiesbye. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2013. At Issue. Rpt. from "The 21-Year-Old Drinking Age: I Voted for It; It Doesn 't Work." Huffington Post. 2009. Gale Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 10 Dec. 2012. Kiesbye, Stefan. Should the Legal Drinking Age Be Lowered? Detroit: Greenhaven, 2008. Print. McCardell, John M. "The Drinking Age Should Be Lowered." Teen Drug Abuse. David E. Drinking Age of 21 Doesn 't Work." CNN.com. 2009. Gale Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 10 Dec. 2012. Minton, Michelle. "The Legal Drinking Age Has Not Been Effective." Should the Legal Drinking Age Be Lowered? Ed. Stefan Kiesbye. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2013. At Rpt. from "Lower the Drinking Age for Everyone." National Review (20 Apr. 2011). Gale Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 10 Dec. 2012. Responsibility, Choose. "The Minimum Legal Drinking Age Should Be Lowered."Teens at Risk. Ed. Auriana Ojeda. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 2004. Opposing Viewpoints. Rpt. from "Debating the Issues." chooseresponsibility.org. 2007. Gale Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 10 Dec. 2012. Roan, Shari. "Efforts to Curb College Binge Drinking Spark MLDA Controversy." Should the Legal Drinking Age Be Lowered? Ed. Stefan Kiesbye. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2013. At Issue. Rpt. from "Tempest in a Bottle." Los Angeles Times 1 Sept. 2008. Gale Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 10 Dec. 2012. "The Legal Drinking Age Policy Has Been Effective." Should the Legal Drinking Age Be Lowered? Ed. Stefan Kiesbye. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2013. At Issue. Rpt. from "Key Results: Mimimim Legal Drinking Age Policy." SAPRP.org. 2009. Gale Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 10 Dec. 2012.
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