The issue of underage drinking is a complex one, yet no policy or remedy has emerged to effectively combat it. When considering the idea of consuming alcohol at a legal age, one would naturally associate it with adults who are responsible. The United States has set its current legal drinking age at 21 years of age. In my opinion, this age may not be enough to guarantee that someone will be a responsible adult, especially when it comes to drinking. As a result, I am of the opinion that the drinking age should be raised from 21 to 24 years old. Raising the minimum legal drinking age to 24 years old has the potential to decrease alcohol-related deaths among young individuals, enhance their psychological well-being, and mitigate the likelihood of developing alcohol dependency.
First and foremost, increasing the drinking age will result in a higher number of lives being saved. One of the risks that comes with drinking among young people is an increased likelihood of driving under the influence of alcohol. According to Patel, car accidents have unfortunately become a significant cause of death among young adults as well as teenagers. Shockingly, approximately 30 percent of such incidents are linked to young drivers who have consumed alcohol. These figures serve as a distressing reminder of the daily loss of lives of young ones due to driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. In addition, among American citizens under the age of 21, around 3,900 lose their lives annually due to alcohol use. Also, there is a strong correlation between alcohol consumption among individuals under the age of 24 and other negative outcomes, including alcohol poisoning, suicide, as well as unintentional injuries like falls, drowning, and burns (Patel). In my opinion, there is sufficient evidence from the data I provided to you, as well as from what you have seen and heard in the media, to conclude that increasing the legal drinking age may significantly save lives by decreasing the likelihood of young people causing harm to themselves or others.
In addition, raising the minimum legal drinking age to 24 years will result in enhanced mental well-being among young individuals. The impact of alcohol on the developing brains of young people is significant and poses serious risks. During adolescence, individuals experience intricate developmental changes, particularly in the brain. The extensive changes in the structure and operation of the brain, which last until an individual reaches their mid-20s, facilitate the development of cognitive, social, and emotional abilities that are essential for teenagers to adapt and flourish (Patel). This means that underage drinking may have a severe negative impact on both memory and learning. Adults who consume alcohol may also have such difficulties; however, alcohol has a far greater impact on memory and learning in teenagers compared to adults. Additionally, the brain’s frontal lobe, responsible for higher-order cognitive functions like abstract thinking, decision-making, as well as impulse control, is the last brain area to develop fully. This part undergoes significant refinement throughout adolescence. When alcohol is mixed with this process, it may lead to reckless choices and, sometimes, serious consequences (Wisconsin Department of Health Services). By increasing the legal drinking age, we will undoubtedly contribute significantly to safeguarding the developing brains of young individuals, so reducing their susceptibility to hazardous behaviors and impaired judgment.
Moreover, to further protect young individuals from becoming alcohol dependent, I am in favor of increasing the drinking age to 24. Starting drinking at a young age significantly increases the risk of developing severe issues with alcohol addiction in the future. Young adults have distinct alcohol consumption patterns compared to adults. Most of them do not often take alcohol, but a significant portion of their alcohol intake occurs during periods of binge drinking. The brain is adversely affected by these frequent episodes of excessive alcohol use (Wisconsin Department of Health Services). Consequently, the effects of this alcohol on the developing brains of young individuals increase their susceptibility to addiction. There are numerous risks associated with alcohol addiction that can be extremely dangerous as well as even fatal. To achieve a future without any more victims of alcohol addiction, it is crucial that we start working together.
In conclusion, the legal drinking age has sparked intense debates worldwide. Even so, it is important to completely refute the commonly held belief that young people can safely consume alcohol as well as learn responsible drinking habits under the supervision of adults. There is only one effective change that can be implemented in order to protect young people from the negative effects of drinking at a younger age, and that is to raise the drinking age to 24 years old. On the basis of what I have presented to you since the beginning of this talk, I am certain that we can all reach a consensus that raising the drinking age would save our young people from dying at an earlier age, safeguard the health of their developing brains, and assist them in avoiding the disastrous path of alcohol addiction. Due to the significant immediate and prolonged consequences of alcohol use and abuse among the youth, I am urging teenagers, parents, local community leaders, as well as government officials to unite with me in campaigning to raise the legal drinking age to 24 years.
Works Cited
Patel, K. “Drinking age needs to be raised to 25.” marquettewire, 7 Feb. 2023, marquettewire.org/4092768/opinion/patel-drinking-age-needs-to-be-raised-to-25/.
Wisconsin Department of Health Services. “Small Talks: Get the Facts on Underage Drinking.” Wisconsin Department of Health Services, 18 Sept. 2023, www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/small-talks/underage-drinking-facts.htm.
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