The Legal Drinking Age Debate Conrad Olszewski

Brief History 1934 – Legal Drinking age was set at 21 years of age. 1974 – Legal Drinking age for beer was lowered from 21 to 18 years. 1983 – Legal Drinking age for all sales of beer raised to 19 years 1987 – Legal Drinking age for alcoholic beverages raised to 21 years Today – The legal age to purchase, consume, and possess alcohol is still 21 years.

The Problem The debate over what should be the legal drinking age has been going on for years. Should the drinking age in the United States remain at 21 years? Should the drinking age in the United States be lowered to 18 years? Several pros and cons for both sides of the argument. Should be analyzed in order to come up with appropriate mediation.

Pro Number 1 Lowering the drinking age would teach responsibility to teenagers Would educate them on the matter Would allow supervision from adults Would avoid sneaking around and irresponsible behavior

Con Number 1 Lowering the Drinking Age would lead to more accidents and fatalities Leading cause of death of teens are traffic accidents 28 % of these traffic accidents are alcohol related Teens in the U.S are allowed to drive at a young age, more likely to drive drunk

Pro Number 2 Gives adults a basic right they should have at this age. At 18, people can do many new things…except this one People feel that it is unconstitutional Teens feel like they can’t be trusted by adults “Our society's age-specific approaches often boil down to curbing the freedoms of the young -- and increasing their punishments...” -Froma Harrop, national columnist

Con Number 2 It would lead to teens making bad decisions. Can lead to unwise choices such as unprotected sex, violence, drugs, etc. Drinking and driving would be a major concern This puts their life in danger as well as others on the road

Pro Number 3 The current law does not work. Teens under 21 drink regardless of what the law says Police could spend more time doing more productive things More time could be spent educating about alcohol instead of preventing it. "It's time to rethink the drinking age… Twenty-one is not working.”

Con Number 3 “Trickle Down Effect” Would give high schoolers and middle schoolers easier access to alcohol Most common source of alcohol for 18-20 years are their 21-24 year old friends More kids would be getting in trouble at younger age

The Solution The Legal Drinking Age in the United State should be lowered to 18 years and the legal driving age should be raised to 18 years 18 year olds would have to complete an alcohol education test before obtaining their drivers license People under 21 would not be able to operate a vehicle with any traces of alcohol in their system

Benefits of Mediation Would teach teens responsibility through education on the topic in schools. Would give people the rights they deserve. Would prevent many alcohol related traffic accidents.

Works Cited 1.) "Should the Drinking Age Be Lowered from 21 to a Younger Age?" Www.procon.org. National Institute of Health, 9 Feb. 2009. Web. 28 Mar. 2012. <http://drinkingage.procon.org/view.answers.php?questionID=1610>. 2.) Harrop, Froma. "Pro and Con Arguments." Www.procon.org. 4 June 2010. Web. 28 Mar. 2012. http://drinkingage.procon.org/view.answers.php?questionID=1610. 3.)"The Debate on Lowering The Drinking Age." Www.cbsnews.com. 1 Mar. 2012. Web. 3 Mar. 27. http://www.cbsnews.com/2100-18560_162- 4813571.html?pageNum=4&tag=contentMain;contentBody. 4.) Minton, Michelle. "Lower The Drinking Age For Everyone." Www.nationalreview.com. 20 Apr. 2011. Web. 27 Mar. 2012. <http://www.nationalreview.com/articles/264916/lower- drinking-age-everyone-michelle-minton>.

Works Cited (continued) 5.) Cauchon, Dennis. "Zero-tolerance Policies Lack Flexibility." Www.usatoday.com. 13 Apr. 1999. Web. 23 Apr. 2012. http://www.usatoday.com/educate/ednews3.htm.  6.) "Should Parents Give Alcohol To Their Kids?" Www.cbsnews.com. 22 Mar. 2011. Web. 23 Apr. 2012. <http://www.cbsnews.com/2100-500172_162-20045848.html>.  7.) Schlesinger, Robert. "The Drinking Age Debate." Www.usanews.com. 23 Feb. 2009. Web. 24 Apr. 2012. http://www.usnews.com/opinion/blogs/robert-schlesinger/2009/02/23/the-drinking-age-debate-time-to-go- from-21-to-18-but-its-not-an-easy-call.  8.) "Under-21 College Students More Likely To Binge Drink" Www.chicagotribune.com. 19 June 2000. Web. 29 Mar. 2012. http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2000-06-19/news/0006190050_1_alcohol-at-fraternity- parties-bars-and-on-campus-parties-henry-wechsler. 9.) Figueroa, Alyssa. "Amethyst Initiative and Underage Drinking." Www.imprintmagazine.org. 4 Nov. 2008. Web. 18 Apr. 2012. <http://www.imprintmagazine.org/life_and_style/amethyst_initiative_and_underage_drinking>.