Because it is dangerous, causes health problems, and is almost always abused, the drinking age should remain at 21. If the drinking age were to be lowered to 18, this will allow them to have less time to 'get drunk' and therefore more capable of putting themselves in tragic situations which will later damage them as adults both physically, mentally, their criminal record, etc. If the US government lowered the drinking age to under 21, sexual abuse, unprotected sex, and many tragedies may become more acceptable in our society. Alcohol is harmful to health and the impact would be scarring for the teenager and others in their life if they were given the opportunity to drink at a relatively young age. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get Original Essay In the United States, the national minimum drinking age states that no one under 21 years of age may consume or purchase alcoholic beverages. President Ronald Reagan signed the law into law on July 17, 1984. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism states that "88,000 people die each year from alcohol-related causes, making it the third leading cause of preventable death in the United States United". Alcohol is a roulette wheel of a drug with many negative effects when consumed heavily, especially for a young adult who is still developing their brain, both literally and figuratively. Carla T. Main's analysis states: “Between 1970 and 1976, 29 states lowered the drinking age. The results were catastrophic. Road deaths among teenagers and young adults have skyrocketed. Immediately, states began raising the minimum drinking age again.” Alcohol consumption by adolescents poses several dangers such as death, accidents, criminal charges, risky sexual acts, and loss of productivity. Alcohol makes response times longer than usual and the body less adequately controlled. Alcohol has become a universal drug that is now very easy for people to get addicted to in our society. Many believe that alcohol can be considered a stimulant, but it is actually a depressant due to its ability to allow someone to have poor judgment and muffled speech. Recognizing these facts, it is still used by people regardless, to feel less anxious but a little more relaxed and confident. It may sometimes seem like a stimulant due to its chemical properties, but most of the time it only happens at the beginning of consumption. The outcome of a person's reaction depends on: how much alcohol intake there is, whatever effect alcohol consumption has on the individual, the amount consumed, and the person's history. In 2004, alcohol was involved in 36 percent of traffic deaths among youth ages sixteen to twenty, according to the National Institutes of Health. This just goes to show that alcohol can cause slower response times, but even underage drinkers don't have the ability to prevent an accident. According to Christopher Carpenter, the age-reducing effect of alcohol and drug use was the result of numerous injuries and deaths in 1970 and 1976. It has been documented that during this period the majority of deaths occurred as young adults drunk were driving a vehicle. Carrie Lightner, a thirteen-year-old from California was killed by a drunk driver. “MADD” (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) was created by her mother right after this tragedy of an event, Candice Lightner. To raise the drinking age to 21, Candice Lightner and many other mothers have become advocates for their beliefs. President Reagan, over time, forced theCongress investigated the drinking age scandal and passed the Drinking Age Act in 1984, requiring all states to raise the drinking age to 21. Drinking was commonly practiced throughout the United States on campuses, especially among those aged eighteen to twenty. Binge drinking would increase the concentration of alcohol content in the blood to 0.08 grams percent, which is higher than the accepted alcohol level. Many medical professionals have been alerted by the number of students drinking at colleges/universities that movements have been organized to talk about this topic and a recent survey indicates that 50% of students have experienced binge eating and other unhealthy drinking. A study conducted by Front Psychol showed that underage drinking most often leads to the outcome of “casual sex” and “hooking up.” Alcohol encourages casual sexual interactions in the United States, and the possibility of having unprotected sex and engaging in "rape" has increased at an increasing rate with students participating in drinking. Main's article states: "In 2001, 474,000 college students had unprotected sex due to alcohol consumption... More than 676,000 students reported being assaulted by another student who was drinking... and 97,000 students have been sexually assaulted or raped by someone while under the influence of alcohol.” Many speculate that since a young adult can join the military, vote for whoever they want to hold office and assume obligations legal under certain circumstances before the age of 21, why shouldn't they be allowed to drink? The answer is that an 18 year old is mature enough to make life and career decisions, but at that young adult's current stage of development (18- 20 years old), it would not be the wisest decision to allow them to drink or even settle down with their lifestyle/profession in this precious life that we all love other dangerous substances (gateway drugs), such as opioids and marijuana, as well as increasing the risk of heart failure, diabetes, stroke and liver failure. The three years from 18 to 21 in a young adult's life are crucial years for mental development. Meanwhile, if alcohol were added into the mix, the alcohol alters with the development of the brain, thus creating havoc among them. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay Twenty-one should remain the legal drinking age due to the coming of age process that many face. As we grow up, we tend to be responsible not only for ourselves, but also for others, whether it is a child, a family member, a loved one, etc. If the dangerous chemicals in alcohol can present dangerous risks to anyone of legal age or older, it would not be in the best interests of the American people to keep the legal drinking age until 21 and allow the body to develop to to adulthood, given that the brain of a young adult is still very sensitive? It is the government's responsibility to continue to educate those who have not yet reached the legal age about the dangers of alcohol and its effects on our bodies, as well as reinforce the reality that we are not obligated to follow social norms, but to make reasonable and safe for your well-being. Works CitedCarpenter, C. (2007). Is alcohol too cheap in the US? A comparison of alcohol prices in the United States and 25 European countries. Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, 26(1), 81-104. Centers for the control and prevention of79.