Alcohol use is characterized by various negative effects on people’s health and their social and private life. Underage drinking has been regarded as a serious public health problem that led to an adverse long-term impact on the health of those who consumed alcohol in their adolescence (Green et al. 118). At the same time, an increasing number of Americans claim that the existing policies and laws regarding the minimum drinking age are unable to address the issue and result in certain negative outcomes (Cary par. 11). A considerable bulk of evidence suggests that the current drinking age minimum is associated with negative consequences and does more harm than good. Therefore, it is necessary to follow the example of many western democracies and establish the limit at the age of 18 that was once employed in this country as well.
Arguments Supporting the Set Drinking Age
Several decades ago, the minimum drinking age in the USA was 18 years old. One of the major reasons for raising this age limit was its potential effect on drunken driving, and the Mothers Against Drunk Driving was one of the key players in the process (MADD) (Cary par. 4). According to the MADD, it has been estimated that “the law has saved about 900 lives a year” (Cary par. 4). It is believed that the established minimum drinking age prevents people younger than 21 from causing traffic accidents.
Apart from traffic issues, alcohol use is also linked to a significant effect on people’s criminal activity. For instance, Carpenter and Dobkin note that access to alcohol is related to a “statistically significant 5.9% increase in arrests… for assault, robbery, reckless driving, driving under the influence, drunkenness, and nuisance crimes” (522). Researchers assume that 21-year-olds get access to alcohol and are more likely to be involved in criminal activity (by almost 6%) compared to those under this age. The use of alcohol in adolescence harms people’s health since it is associated with a high chance of the development of addiction in adulthood (Green et al. 118). Teenagers and young adults who consume alcohol are at a higher risk of developing mental health issues, including addiction, and other problems such as cardiovascular disorders.
Arguments Against the Set Drinking Age
At the same time, the number of people who are against the current minimum drinking age is increasing. The opponents of the existing drinking age note that it can be lowered to 18 years old as people at that age can make responsible decisions. Moreover, it is found that younger people start drinking alcohol. According to Green et al., 50% of teenagers “report having had at least one drink by the time they reach 8th grade” and “20% of 8th graders have consumed alcohol in the past” several days (Green et al. 117). The abuse of drugs has also grown exponentially during the past decades, which is also linked to the minimum drinking age. Cary stresses that the rate of “college students abusing opioids like Vicodin and OxyContin jumped 343 percent and 450 percent for tranquilizers like Xanax and Valium (par. 6). In simple terms, instead of using alcohol, adolescents use drugs for recreational purposes, which has a considerably more harmful impact on their health.
Why Should the Minimum Drinking Age Be Lowered
The minimum drinking age should be lowered to prevent adolescents from using heavier substances with more serious consequences. Many adults agree that keeping an eye on children drinking beer during a party is much safer than being unaware of adolescents’ using drugs and drinking alcohol in concealed spots (Cary par. 11). The ban does not completely stop the use of alcohol as teenagers obtain fake IDs and buy as much alcohol as they wish. It is also necessary to note that the reduction of traffic accidents can hardly be completely dependent on the minimum drinking age.
Various policies have been introduced to achieve the goal, such as ignition interlock law or suspending the driving license for drunken driving. Numerous educational campaigns, as well as the focus on a healthy lifestyle, contribute to making adolescents more responsible and willing to live healthy lives. Therefore, lowering the minimum drinking age is unlikely to lead to an increase in alcohol use, but can potentially result in the reduction of drug abuse.
Conclusion
On balance, the minimum drinking age should be lowered to 18 years old as it can divert adolescents from using drugs and abusing prescribed drugs. Young people consume alcohol before they reach the established age as they break the law, use fake IDs, and take alcohol from their older friends or relatives. It is much more beneficial to enable these people to choose and make responsible decisions regarding their health and their behavior. Of course, it is also essential to continue educating adolescents and children raising their awareness of the negative impact of alcohol on health and people’s social life. Binge drinking is a serious problem to address, but the minimum drinking age is not an effective remedy, so it should be made similar to the standards set in other western countries.
Works Cited
Carpenter, Christopher, and Carlos Dobkin. “The Minimum Legal Drinking Age and Crime.” The Review of Economics and Statistics, vol. 97, no. 2, 2015, pp. 521–524.
Cary, Mary Kate. “Time to Lower the Drinking Age.”U. S. News, 2014, Web.
Green, Rivka, et al. “Underage Drinking: Does the Minimum Age Drinking Law Offer Enough Protection?” International Journal of Adolescent Medicine and Health, vol. 27, no. 2, 2015, pp. 117–128.