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Chelsea Updegraff
Mrs. Pettay
Eng 112
24 March 2016
Should There Be a Drinking Age Reform
Since 1988 the legal drinking age in all of the United States has been set to the uniform
age of 21, yet in recent years there has been a sudden push to reform the Uniform Drinking Age
Act by lowering the legal age. There are discussions about the safety and precautions that
coincide with changing the legal drinking age, yet studies have shown that although the legal age
is currently 21 years old, this has not prevented underage drinking, but rather encourage binge
drinking in private dwellings. On the other hand, those who encourage to maintain the current
drinking age argue on the major premises that it will avoid safety tragedies and health hazards as
those who are in their teen years whom are still developing mentally and physically. Although
both sides of the debate come with strong arguments, each individual matures at different rates
carrying different responsibilities with them. There are men and women who decide to put their
lives on the line for our country, those who decide to take on that responsibility deserve the
privledge to enjoy an alcoholic beverage. The federal government must execute a distribution
system that allow our servicemen between the age of 18 and 21 to purchase alcohol.
To keep the drinking age at 21 provides a precautious health oriented mind set. According
to the National Institute of Health, underage drinking is a leading contributor to death from
injuries, which are the main cause of death for people under age 21 (ProCon). The article
further states leading cause of death of teens are due to car crashes in which one-third of them

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involve alcohol. In fact, each year the U.S. experiences almost 5,000 deaths under the age of 21
due to underage drinking instances. Not only does alcohol have an impact in the fatality rates
within teens, but it also makes its mark in effecting the development in young adults. According
to ProCon, alcohol consumption can interfere with the development of the brains frontal
lobes [which is] essential for emotion regulation, planning, and organization (ProCon). Overall
the federal government has declared the minimum drinking age to be 21 based on common
mental and physical characteristics at a given age; as a person ages, they mature which gives
them specific privileges they previously were unable to enjoy. Although these precautions come
with merit, there are circumstances at which a citizen should be granted the permission to drink
before the age of 21.
When a citizen turns 18 in the United States, they are privileged to new rights as an adult.
As the clock strikes midnight, an individual is considered an entirely different person to the law.
Being 18 means one can vote, sign contracts, get married, and be prosecuted as an adult. Those
are rights that each individuals is released to, yet millions take it a step further and take on the
responsibility that includes risking ones life. Serving in the military is among one of the most
traumatizing careers one can pursue as each active member puts their life on the line each day
they serve. As difficult as the military livelihood is, it also has its advantages. Each branch of
service forms a family throughout serving as they and their family migrate and celebrate
wherever they may go. Celebrating each day and what it brings may be difficult to some service
members; those who are under 21 are left sitting on the sidelines as their fellow brothers and
sisters cheers to life.
The greatest concern of those who oppose lowering the drinking age is the medical
irresponsibility that may come to the surface if those between 18 and 21 can legally go out and

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drink while enjoying the nightlife. Since 1978 there have been a series of extensive studies
geared towards proving that age directly correlates with fatal accidents and since 2002, 98% of
those studies have proven that point ("Underage Drinking"). Unfortunately there is a level of
maturity and knowledge that comes with age which can be proven throughout the course of any
study. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in every mile driven teens
are nearly three times likely to be involved in an accident than those over 20 years of age
Regardless of an individual's BAC, teens are naturally more inclined to be involved in an
accident due to driver inexperience. Similar to sports, driving is a complex skill, one that must
be practiced ("Underage Drinking"). Driving is both a defensive and offensive action that will
never be perfected regardless of age, humans continuously make mistakes that are not limited to
behind the wheel. In order to fight the statistics, it is the communitys responsibility to help
promote safe driving. Either for or against lowering the legal drinking age, each party can help
promote thorough Graduated Driver Licensing Programs. These GDL programs exists in all 52
US states which help enhance skill in newly licensed drivers ("Choose Responsibility"). Not only
can each party promote such programs, but can also encourage drivers to avoid some of the
greatest distractions behind the wheel such as cell phones, social media, and excessive
passengers. Whether it be promoting driver enhancement programs or encouraging the
intoxicated to have a designated driver, each person can help fight irresponsible driving and the
misfortunes that are associated with the actions.
In the early 1980s there was a perceived national drinking and driving epidemic that in
return initiated a reform that would hit in 1988. Although this has been tradition for the past 38
years, the legislative branch can reform this outdated act and bring back justice to those serving
to protect our nation. Since the 1980s Congress has passed several laws reforming the military

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branches to avoid segregation. Although there are several studies showing that younger
individuals tend to have less maturity than those over the age of 21, those who take on the
responsibility to serve and risk their life for ours deserve the privilege of purchasing and drinking
alcoholic beverages both inside and outside of their dwelling. By grasping parts of foreign laws
regarding the minimum drinking age that are often set at 18, men and women who are often
stationed overseas can come home and enjoy the celebration of life with their brothers and sisters
they bond with while on active duty. As with other reforms the adjustments will be difficult at
first, but if the government can determine a proper distribution system, justice will be established
for all active duty military personnel.

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Works Cited
"Choose Responsibility." Legal Age 21. Union Street Media, 2015. Web. 20 Mar. 2016.
"National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) | National Institutes of Health
(NIH)."U.S National Library of Medicine. U.S. National Library of Medicine, 17 Mar.
2016. Web. 20 Mar. 2016.
"Should the Drinking Age Be Lowered from 21 to a Younger Age?" ProConorg Headlines.
ProCon, 2016. Web. 17 Mar. 2016.
"Underage Drinking." Centers for Disease and Control. U.S Department of Health & Human
Services, 17 Nov. 2015. Web. 20 Mar. 2016