Legal Drinking Age in the USA and in Panama - Case Study Example

Add (Add (Add Legal Drinking Age in the U.S Vs in Panama Alcohol is a globally spread social drink that has already outsmarted cigarette from the title of world’s favorite means of potation. Alcohol consumption has also been noted as the prime cause of a number of social menaces in many parts of the world. The adverse effects of alcohol consumption on the mind and body of an individual mark the bad side of the habit. At the same time, according to many experts, intake of alcohol in limited quantities is not at all problematic. But alcohol is an intoxicating liquid and its continuous consumption leads to addiction and gradually the quantity consumed only increases and it becomes very hard for one to be free from addiction. Sadly, alcohol addiction among teenagers is increasing rapidly. Though there are certain legal provisions regarding the legal drinking age in all nations, they are hardly being enforced. While comparing the US and Panama, we can see that the legal drinking age in the US is 21 though there certain exemptions with this regard in some states and the legal drinking age in Panama is 18. A study by National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shows that ‘higher drinking ages could save approximately 22,798 lives on American roadways from 1975 to 2003.’ (qtd. Johnson). As Ritcher, Vaughan, and Foster point out many people forcefully argue that teenagers who are permitted to vote and bleed for their country must also be allowed to enjoy one or two beers (59). At the same time, opponents point to a reported increase in binge drinking among adolescents as an obvious cause for not reducing the MLDA. A case study conducted by Vermont Department of Health as part of their alcohol and drug abuse programs (qtd. In Searles ) shows that US stands in the first 20 in per capita alcohol consumption among the world countries. We know that US is the most economically and socially developed country in the world and it is evident that menaces due to alcohol consumption in the US is much lesser while comparing with the cases of other countries. It is a very much civilized and industrialized territory. A proper manner exists among them in terms of the quantity in which they consume alcohol though there are some exceptions too. The prevalence of such a condition is the sole key in keeping US away from the status of a ‘drunkards’ territory’. But it must be mentioned that the craziness of teenagers and youth towards alcohol has increased exorbitantly in the recent past. Legally, one’s minimum age requirement to consume alcohol is 21. The National Medical Library portal of the US says that ‘most of the senior students of American high schools’ have had an alcohol intake in the past one month (“Alcohol use and safe drinking.”). This describes how badly the outbreak of this scenario is taking place. It is a hard truth that US is the country where most number of celebrities are charged for alcohol abuse. When public figures like film actors and politicians whom people admire as their models become alcoholic, the people also tend to follow them through these wrong ways. In the view of Wagenaar and Wolfson, some unfavourable factors like this exist in the US and alcohol consumption among minors has become a serious societal issue that requires immediate action though ‘alcohol-made’ menaces are comparatively low in the US (38-39). In Panama, which stands in the bottom in terms of economic and industrial development, the legal drinking age is 18, which means people in Panama can start drinking at an age lower than that in the US. A common opinion has arisen around the world that providing the right to consume alcohol at 18 is not good and providing this at the age of 21 will be beneficial as it is by that age a person attains enough maturity. As per the data of the United Nations Organization, the literacy rate in Panama is 91 percent. Alcohol is the most consumed drug in Panama. Although 18 is the minimum age requirement for alcohol consumption in the country, this law is hardly enforced in this country. The alcohol stores and distilleries sell alcohol even to minors. A minor has to worry about a query on his/her identity information only if he/she drinks from a club or pub. A large proportion of the population lack clear knowledge about the adversities of alcohol consumption. Lack of parental guidance and communication to adolescents is a major cause of their falling to the drinking habit regardless of their social environment. Drug marketing has increased a lot which also turns out to be cause for increased drinking among the youth. Latin American countries are notorious for the presence of drug mafias and even local wars take place in some of the countries in the name of drug business. Such political condition has also led to the easy availability of alcohol to anyone. A deep analysis will lead us to the inference that moral causes are vital than external causes of increase in the number of alcoholics especially when it comes to an economically weak country like Panama. Evidently, the causes of the growth in drinking habit in a developed country like US and that in a backward country like Panama are not much different. The cases of situations in the society leading a person to drinking may be drastic in Panama, but a good number of the reasons for this are identical in both countries. But there is a major difference when we compare the legal drinking age; in Panama it is 18 and in the US is 21. Undoubtedly prolonged alcohol consumption is highly injurious to one’s health. Starting drinking at a younger age is a trend that must be discouraged at any cost. According to Wagenaar, permitting a person to drink at 18 is not at all reasonable as at this age, the person is just nearing the completion of the process of growth towards adulthood (206). Obviously, they are still to gain the maturity to differentiate good and bad. But by reaching the age of 21, a person would gain even more maturity and firmness in his/her outlooks. We know that drinking leads to many health issues including problems for liver, endocrine system, nervous system, reproductive system etc. It adversely affects an individual on almost every part of the body and its aftermath will be serious diseases. Drinking more than a particular amount leads to intoxication and it produces many short term effects like inability to make proper decisions, blurred vision etc. The portal of South Australian government says alcohol consumption in young adulthood brings in a possibility of damage to the developing brain (“Alcohol and its effects”). Drinking among children below 15 years of age is extremely risky. Alcohol can depress one’s central nervous system and take away one’s control over mind and body. There have been hot debates across the globe over the legal drinking age among which majority voiced for fixing 21 as the legal drinking age. Health specialists reveal that consuming alcohol in the teenage is a must-avoid matter. Governments have a great responsibility in this regard. They must take care to enforce the law in all possible ways. Parents have the duty to provide proper guidance to their children to refrain from such habits. Awareness must be grown among all people regarding the ill effects of alcohol intake. The legal drinking age of 18 that is now in existence in Panama and many other countries seems unscientific unethical because alcohol consumption can affect the individual in a drastic way at later ages. The legal drinking age in the US is more reasonable than that of Panama. However, strict enforcement of law is essential in both countries to prevent adolescents from drinking and preventing adolescents from drug abuse. Works Cited “Alcohol use and safe drinking.” Medline Plus. (2012). Web. 18 June 2012. “Alcohol and its effects.” Drug and Alcohol Services. (n.d). 18 June 2012. Johnson, Alex. “Debate on Lower Drinking Age”. Msnbc.com, (Aug 14, 2007). Web 24 June 2011 “National report: Major achievements and obstacles in the implementation of the Beijing platform for action.” Republic of Panama. (2004). Web. 18 June 2012. Richter, Linda, Roger D. Vaughan, and Susan E. Foster. "Public Attitudes about Underage Drinking Policies: Results from a National Survey." Journal of Public Health Policy, (2004). 25, ( 1): 58-77. Searles, John S. “The minimum legal drinking age.” Vermont Department of Health. (2008): 1-38. Web. 18 June 2012. Wagenaar, Alexander C. and Mark Wolfson.. "Enforcement of the Legal Minimum Drinking Age in the United States." Journal of Public Health Policy, (1994) 5, (1) 37-53. Read More