Lowering the drinking age

For lowering it

• Would reduce the number of people who are hurt from under aged alcohol-related injuries or accidents
• 18- to 20-year-olds could drink in a regulated environments with supervision
• Fewer drunk driving traffic accidents and fatalities in countries with MLDA of 18
• Would get rid of the thrill of breaking the law to drink

Against lowering it

• Would be medically irresponsible
• MLDA 21 reduces traffic accidents and fatalities
• Would give high schoolers and even middle schoolers easier access to alcohol
• Will invite more use of illicit drugs among 18-21 year olds

Sources

• http://drinkingage.procon.org
• US Federal Trade Commission (FTC), "Dangers of Teen Drinking," www.dontserveteens.gov (accessed Oct. 20, 2010)
• Choose Responsibiltiy, "FAQs," www.chooseresponsibility.org (accessed Mar. 28, 2012)
• Thomas S. Dee and William N. Evans, "Behavioral Policies and Teen Traffic Safety," American Economic Review, May 2001
• Charlie Covey, "Drinking Age Requires Necessary and Proper Action," www.youthfacts.org, Nov. 11, 2007
• Alexander C. Wagenaar and Traci L. Toomey, "Effects of Minimum Drinking Age Laws: Review and Analyses of the Literature from 1960 to 2000," Journal of Studies on Alcohol, 2002
• Rhonda Jones-Webb, "Why and in What Context Adolescents Obtain Alcohol from Adults: A Pilot Study," Substance Use and Misuse, 1997
• Denise Kandel, et al., "Stages of Progression in Drug Involvement from Adolescence to Adulthood: Further Evidence for the Gateway Theory," Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, 1992