Lowering of the Minimum Age of Drinking - Assignment Example

Those who are for the lowering of the minimum age of drinking from 21 argue that teenagers still drink alcohol, and the teenagers have resolved to binge drinking into isolated and uncontrolled environments, resulting to behaviors that are more health and behaviors that are life-endangering. The opponents argue that teenagers are yet to reach an age that they can be able to handle alcohol responsibly, hence they are likely to harm or kill themselves or even others prior to 21. They point out that traffic facilities went down since the increasing of MLDA.

Personally, I think the MLDA should not be lowered from 21 to 18. The three main reasons that have influenced my position are; MLDA 21 helped in reducing traffic accidents and fatalities, MLDA 21 assists in the prevention of underage binge drinking, and reducing the drinking age welcomes more use of illicit drugs among 18-21 years old. Drunk driving is a big problem in our civilization. Averagely, 17,000 people die every year in deaths that are drunk related. As the numbers have lowered slightly, drunk driving continues to be a very important public safety issue.

Most importantly is the fact that drinking and driving are strongly related to the youth. According to MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving), in 2010 the highest drunk driving rates were established amongst those ages 21- 25 (23.4%), and 18-20 (15.1%). Past 25, the rates of drunk driving reduce. By lowering the age limit to 18, the 15.1% who drink prior to getting behind the wheels would significantly rise and the consequences will be fatal (Robin, G. D. 1991). Binge drinking is common among the youths more so in college campuses.