First Draft

Underage drinking has become a major problem across the United States. A majority of underage drinking cases are seen in college settings. Young adults are leaving home, at about 18 or 19, and are not used to having freedom away from parents. Thus, they tend to abuse their freedom, going against the law by drinking, and potentially binge drinking. Binge drinking is a huge problem among college students. Students are drinking behind closed doors where there is little to no supervision. In order to curb binge drinking, the drinking age needs to be lowered. In the United States, you are considered an adult at the age of 18. So, why is it that you cannot make the choice to consume alcohol? The drinking age in the United States should be lowered to 18 to decrease the binge drinking among teens and create a safer environment for young adults. In return, laws that enforce a stronger punishment for drunk driving would need to be implemented.

            In today’s society, underage drinking, for the most part, has become expected among college life. However, it has serious and frightening outcomes. Many students, upon entering college, do not know how to handle their new freedom and tend to unleash and run wild. Time and time again, students consume immeasurable amounts of alcohol. This results in physical harm, blackouts, hospital visits and death. Blacking out has become a norm among students. The reason for all this mayhem is that the settings in which students are drinking is not controlled. Young adults, under the age of 21, are forced to drink behind closed doors without any supervision. In an article from U.S. News and World Report, John McCardell states, “The more they crack down on campus drinking, the more they simply force that behavior into clandestine locations, often off campus, beyond their sight and their authority.” McCardell is speaking in relation to college presidents. Many college presidents are in favor of lowering the drinking age, believing it will keep the students safer. Many times, students become injured or die because their peers are too worried with getting in trouble instead of getting help. In her article, “Taking on 21,” Paula Wasley states, “The penalties associated with underage drinking dissuade many students from getting help if they see their friends in trouble.”  Just one of the many examples of this, is the case of Gordie Bailey. He was a student at the University of Colorado, who partook in a fraternity ritual, which involved drinking excessive amounts, and it wasn’t until the next day where he was found dead in the fraternity house. (PARADE, 2007).  Bailey could have been saved had one of his peers called for an ambulance. However, a lower drinking age could have saved him as well. With a lower drinking age, young adults do not have to hide their drinking but would be able to drink with elders who are more experienced. This would teach how to drink responsibly and keep people from binge drinking, especially in public. In addition, once teens turn 18 their whole world changes, they are now considered adults in the United States.

Once the clock strikes twelve on your eighteenth birthday, you are no longer a child; you are now considered an adult and with it come new added rights and responsibilities. One you turn 18, you are eligible to vote in national, state and local elections, live independently from parents and be free of their control, marry without parent permission, enter military service. In addition, some responsibilities that change include, supporting yourself if parents no longer want to, you are responsible for your actions and there outcomes, you are held accountable in court, you maybe called for jury duty, and if you are a male you are required to register with the Selective Service System. With all this new added responsibility, it is no wonder the government doesn’t want to burden you with one more. Right? Wrong!

If one can go to war and serve their country, they should be able to make the decision to consume alcohol. If you are able to live on your own and support yourself, you should be able to have a beer if you please. And if you are to be held accountable for your actions in the court of law, you should be able to legally have an alcoholic drink in your own home.

However, if laws were passed to lower the drinking age, there would need to be new, more strict laws implemented dealing with drunk driving. A stricter punishment, such as losing a license permanently, would keep people from taking the risk of driving after they have been drinking.