A U.S. District Court ruled on December 22, 1978, that MLDA 21 is “reasonably related to a government goal of reducing motor vehicle accidents” and that MLDA 21 stands up to constitutional challenge on three important legal issues: (1) alcohol consumption is not a constitutionally guaranteed “fundamental right.” (2) age is not inherently a criterion for “suspect” discrimination (as opposed to race or ethnicity, for example) and (3) the use of alcohol age to avoid road accidents has a “rational basis” in the available scientific evidence. [29] This shift in beverage choices, along with irresponsible drinking patterns among younger colleges, has resulted in an increased incidence of alcohol toxicity – in some cases, death from alcohol poisoning. However, the percentage of students who consume alcohol or who consume a lot of alcohol or who consume alcohol excessively has been relatively stable over the past 30 years. I think you should drink at any age, so if you grow up, if you want to drink, then you know what it`s like to be drunk if responsible drinking is normalized from an early age and driving under the influence is controlled, drunk driving can be curbed. Germany, Russia and China are examples. If the legal drinking age were lowered to 18, people would not have to jeopardize their future by obtaining and using false identification. (i) Educate young people aged 18 to 20 on how to consume alcohol responsibly using a curriculum similar to driver training programmes and implemented across States; and (ii) issue a liquor license to individuals who pass a final examination at the end of the 40-hour educational program, the license allowing such individuals to legally drink alcohol in the state where the license is issued. (Toomey et al., 1962). In the United States, you can do almost anything at 18 except drinking and smoking in Michigan, both if you must be 21. I believe the age should be 18, in this country they will give you a gun to shoot the enemy abroad or domestically, but here in Michigan you can`t drink or smoke until you`re 21.
Most children who get their driver`s license at 16, by the time they turn 21, already have at least 1 DUI. As a parent, I always told my children to respect the law, but when it came to drinking, I wasn`t stupid, I told them how to behave responsibly when they drank, they called me at all times to pick them up. Has drunk, call me, come and get yourself. If an 18-year-old can serve a country by serving in the armed service or by voting, why can`t he drink? All age groups should be equal!!!! MLDA 21 encourages young adults to acquire false identification documents and use them to obtain alcohol. At a time of national security concerns, including terrorism, illegal immigration and other threats, it would be better to have fewer false identity documents in circulation and more respect for the law. [17] The fear of getting into trouble due to underage drinking also discourages people from seeking medical treatment when it may be necessary. These people are sometimes faced with the difficult decision of whether or not to take a drunk friend to the hospital. If the drinking age were lower, this stigma would be eliminated and it would be more likely that these students would not be at risk of not leaving. Many rights in the United States are granted to citizens who are 21 years of age or older.
A person cannot legally buy a handgun, gamble at a casino (in most states), or adopt a child until age 21, rent a car at age 25 (for most businesses), or run for president until age 35. Alcohol consumption should be limited in the same way because of responsibility to oneself and others. [24] Youth may choose not to drink or drink less frequently because social acceptance is lower or the risks are increased by parental or judicial authorities. Older teens and adults are less likely to provide liquor to minors, and licensed liquor stores are less likely to sell to minors because they think it`s illegal, morally wrong, or because they might be caught. [18] Lowering the MLDA to age 18 in the U.S. will normalize responsible drinking habits at a younger age, thereby reducing the risk of binge drinking among teens and college students. You`ll also be able to drink in safer environments without being kicked off campus due to the risk of being caught drinking. 18-year-olds are allowed to do many risky things, but not to drink. To change this, you can email your senator or state representative asking them to reduce the MLDA. You can also sign petitions or join many groups that advocate for change. The legal drinking age should be lowered to around 18 or 19 and young adults should be allowed to drink in controlled environments such as restaurants, taverns, pubs and official school and university events.
In these situations, responsible consumption could be taught through model and educational programs. One would expect mature and reasonable consumption behaviour. This opinion is based on research I have been involved in for over thirty years on college-aged teenagers and the history of alcohol consumption in the United States and other cultures. Adults between the ages of 18 and 20 should not be denied this enjoyment if other enjoyable activities are legal by the age of 18. Research conducted from the early 1980s to the present has shown a continuous decline and then flattening of variables related to alcohol and driving that have led to a parallel decline in per capita consumption by the country and also by university students. However, these declines began in 1980 before the 1987 national law requiring states to have 21-year-old liquor purchase laws. There is no medical reason why alcohol should be an over-the-counter drug for people over 21, but illegal for younger people.
