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Research Paper Drinking Age

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Research Paper Drinking Age
The legal drinking age refers to the youngest age at which a person is legally allowed to buy and consumes alcoholic beverages. The drinking age varies from country to country. Here in the United States the legal drinking age is twenty-one. There has been much debate on whether the drinking age in the United States should be lowered from twenty-one to eighteen. People in favor of keeping the drinking age at twenty-one believe that there will be less alcohol related injuries and deaths from vehicle accidents, as well less alcohol abuse among teens due to binge drinking. On the other side, people in favor of lowering the drinking age believe that since turning eighteen is considered an adult one should entail the rights and responsibilities. The debate surrounding the drinking age is an ongoing battle, and it continues to flare up around the country.
Millions of peoples are affected each day by alcohol. People do not realize it, but alcohol is a drug. The effects of alcohol on the body can range from mild effects such a small sicknesses, to extreme effects such as alcohol abuse. Drinking alcohol can lead to unhealthy and be destructive to the body. Since alcohol is a depressant, a small amount of it affects the human being psychologically. But in large doses alcohol can lead to alcohol poising, intoxication, alcoholism, coma and even can lead to death. Alcohol has a biphasic effect on the body, which means that the effects change overtime. At first, alcohol produces feelings of relaxation and happiness. But eventually, it can lead to dehydration, coordination problems, blurred vision, and other health and social issues.
Drinking and driving has become a serious issue among teenagers in the United States. For a person to drive safely, it is necessary to be alert, and capable to make decisions based on current incidents happening around. Driving becomes difficult with distractions, and becomes even worse while under the influence of alcohol. Drunk



Bibliography: "The Legal Drinking Age Debate: Should It Be Lowered?" Suite101.com: Online Magazine and Writers ' Network. Web. 22 Oct. 2010. <http://www.suite101.com/content/the-legal-drinking-age-debate-a118692>. Naik, By Abhijit "Reason: Time to Change Drinking Age to 18? « Hot Air." Hot Air. Web. 15 Oct. 2010. <http://hotair.com/archives/2010/04/07/reason-time-to-change-drinking-age-to-18/>. "Should America Lower the Legal Drinking Age?" Squidoo : Welcome to Squidoo <ProCon.org. Web. 13 Oct. 2010. <http://drinkingage.procon.org/>. November 3, 2010 Research Paper

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