Lower drinking age can solve problems
Its 7 a.m., you’re having breakfast, pick up you newspaper and once again there’s an article about a teenager getting him/herself in trouble caused by underage drinking. We’re all tired of constantly hearing the same story and looking for newer ways to punish them. What if we’re making it worse?
According to the 2010 National Survey on drug and alcohol use about 10 million Americans ages 12-20 report alcohol consumption. Let’s focus on the real deal here: the U.S. is among few countries with a higher drinking age and the one with the most crimes related to underage drinking — unlike the rest of the world with a drinking age of 18 or lower that don’t face as many issues.
Teenagers enjoy the thrill of finding a “drinking spot” where they’ll have a good time and won’t get caught, more than the actual taste of beer. It’s the same feeling 17-year-olds get trying to get in 18-and-up nightclubs knowing they’re not allowed. However once they turn 18 six months later they don’t enjoy it as much.
The same would happen if the drinking age was lowered. Technically at 18 we’re allowed to vote, we are considered adults and we can buy cigars which are much more dangerous to our health. The only thing prohibited is alcohol.
Lowering the drinking age will also lower DUIs, car accidents, and deaths among teenagers. Lowering the drinking age can potentially solve many alcohol related issues.
Connie Almazo
Glendale Heights