Lower the drinking age to 18
Sources
Jones, Sandra N., and Vicki D. Lachman. “Continuing the Dialogue: Reducing Minimum Legal Drinking Age Laws from 21 to 18.” Journal of Addictions Nursing, vol. 22, no. 3, 2011, pp. 138–143.
Plunk, Andrew D, et al. “Did the 18 Drinking Age Promote High School Dropout? Implications for Current Policy.” Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, Rutgers University, Sept. 2015, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4714820/.
“Pros & Cons - ProCon.org.” Drinking Age, drinkingage.procon.org/.
Lowering MLDA 21 would be medically irresponsible
Neurological developmental
Frontal lobe not developed
Potential long-term effects
Lowering MLDA 21 would be good for the economy
MLDA 21 is largely ineffective because teens consume regardless
High non-compliance with MLDA 21 promotes general disrespect and non-compliance with other areas of US law
18 is the age of adulthood in the United States, and adults should have the right to make their own decisions about alcohol consumption
Driving drunk increase
Death
Fatal injuries
Motor vehicle fatalities
Increase high school drop out
Lower educational attainment
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
Drinking alcohol is an enjoyable activity
18- to 20-year-old adults should not be denied that enjoyment when other pleasurable activities are legal at age 18
Take away forbidden fruit
syndrome
Lowering MLDA from 21 to 18 would diminish the thrill of breaking the law to get a drink
Allowing 18- to 20-year-olds to drink alcohol in regulated environments with supervision would decrease unsafe drinking activity
Education
Same as getting license myst be educated
Less violence
Less blackouts
More likely to call for help because not getting punished
More access to alcohol at young age
More likely to misuse of other substances
Development of heavy drinking patterns
Subsequent alcohol dependence
At risk to make poor decisions
Other countries drinking age is under 21
Safer and more responsible
Less deaths
There are fewer drunk driving traffic accidents and fatalities in many countries with MLDA of 18
