Raising the Minimum Drinking age to 24 years
The ongoing debate on alcohol drinking age has been a topic of many conversations. Many arguments support raise of the drinking age while others fight for a reduction
from the current 21 years. Alcohol consumption among the youth has proven to have several negative impacts on the drinking youth and the society, the main impact being
the high number of deaths. Evidently, the deaths arise from drunken driving and violence. The incidents of violence fueled by alcohol particularly among the youth have
caused immense problems to the authorities and have even led to the death of others (Adams, Savahl and Carels 971). For instance, most female drunkards are raped after
being drugged or consuming excessive amounts of alcohol. Additionally, drunken driving is the cause of 31% of road-related accidents in America. Despite, the tagging
rage and arguments, it is of my opinion that the legal age for alcohol consumption should increase from 21 to 24 years.
Historically, the National Minimum Drinking Age Act of 1984 obligated states to raise the alcohol possession age to 21 years. This was in an effort to reduce binge
drinking in the United States, which appeared to taking over. Notably, the US transportation department used this opportunity to oppress states that did not comply
with the regulation. This included a reduction in highway funding and goods. In this effect, nine states followed the restrictions. In as much as this helped in
reducing possession by then youths, the problem of defining public possession raised many questions. This is because old people possess alcohol but have the youth
abuse the same drug (Ansari, Stock and Mills 1175). This has prompted more challenges that the intended solutions early fantasized. Therefore, raising the alcohol
drinking age to 24 would be the best process towards controlling the aggressive population.
Alcohol is the most commonly abused drug in America according to the Center of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This is in comparison to tobacco and other illicit
drugs, which form part of the population. Notably, it is responsible for over 4700 annual deaths among the underage youth. Notably, not all people consume alcohol
because of prescription or routine (Carpenter and Dobkin 133). This is because 90 percent of alcohol consumption is binge drinking, which increases risks to drinkers.
In an average survey of American drinking population, underage drinkers take in more drinks as compared to the adult counterparts in every drinking session. According
to the Youth Risk Behavior survey conducted in 2011, many high school residents engage in serious alcohol while in school and at home. This is very detrimental to the
education sector considering the perceived future of the youths. Raising alcohol drinking age is the surest way of eliminating abuse because of many reasons (Adams,
Savahl and Carels 972).
Most people engaged in alcohol abuse are in colleges or learning institutions. Consequently, the victims also lie in the streets and other informal settlements, which
lack access to education. In America, Most students’ clear studies by the age of 24, in this effect the many funds pumped by parents disappear creating responsible
citizens. Notably, clearing school ushers students to the demanding job market where they have to work. This busy schedule at 24 years reduces many unprioritized
drinking habits hence controlling alcohol abuse in America (Carpenter and Dobkin 134). This is opposed to having a drinking age below 21 years where students have
limited demands and have no ability to make life decisions. Consequently, the peer pressure and group attitude in schools make it easy to control alcohol at 21 years
or below. There are various cultural expectations pushing students to drinking. This is besides feeling the need to drink among many students in social gatherings and
other places of luxury (Ansari, Stock and Mills 1177). In most colleges around America, students form groupings, which dictate and shape one’s popularity. For
instance, for a student to be part of a group, he has to qualify and be able to drink well (Adams, Savahl and Carels 975). All these problems can disappear in an
eventful raise of minimum drinking age to 24 years.
Governments apply different political authorities to raise revenue to expenditure on various financial goals. This includes protecting the freedom and well-being of
the society. Therefore, the government has a leading role of collecting revenue while standardizing quality of services that people receive. For refusing to raise the
minimum drinking age to 21 years, the Puertorican state loses over $11 million annually in the federal department of transportation. This is in the form of investments
in roads and vehicles to allow for efficient driving (Salam, Barbour and Salameh 345). Notably, most accidents in the roads arise from drunk driving causing pressure
in the insurance companies and other related agencies. In 2011, 54,000 people representing 1.5 percent left the island because of the shifting economy. Despite raising
the drinking age to 21, the trend continues to worsen in the contemporary world. This has called for concerns from various stakeholders and other states, whether to
illegalize alcohol of raise the minimum drinking age (Carpenter and Dobkin 135).
Alcohol consumption has various associated problems ranging from diseases and neglect of responsibilities. In a healthcare cost survey within the United States, 40 to
45 percent of patients, not in maternity or emergency units have alcohol related complications. This is a worrying trend in the American health sector, considering the
high insurance costs. Notably, the United States healthcare expenditure on alcohol related issues total to $ 22.5 billion per month. Annually, the government spends
$175.9 billion a value far much higher than the $114.2 billion used in other drug problems. Interestingly, the value supersedes the $137 billion spend on smoking
related problems. According to research from health practitioners involving different groups of people, none and moderate drinkers have a less health cost as compared
to heavy drinkers.
Arguably, this worrying issue needs constant attention and monitoring (Adams, Savahl and Carels 981). This is because most people contributing to these problems are
the youths and young adults below 24 years. The transferred problems of alcohol through diseases attract 184.6 billion dollars from the government. This is partly
contributed by the underage drinkers who make a $52.8 billion segment. According to the centre for disease control, the figure is likely to rise if no immediate action
takes priority. In 2011 for instance, CDC established that over 79, 000 people die from alcohol related problems. This was with a correlated $223.5 billion reached in
2006. Averagely, every man and woman pays for $746 for maintenance of alcohol related problems. This is withstanding the many procedural and legislative techniques
applied to moderate alcohol consumption among the youths (Carpenter and Dobkin 138). From this perspective, the surest way of controlling the ever-growing number of
deaths and expenditure remains raising the drinking age to 24 years.
Alcohol drinking exposes not only the drunk people, but also people around (Ansari, Stock and Mills 1188). The misbehavior associated to the beverage has led to many
social problems in the society mainly caused by the underage. In as much as other drugs also contribute to the problems, it is important to make vital steps of saving
America. Arguably, drunk youths are extremely energetic; therefore, they engage people in abuses and other demining activities. In many scenarios, the youths have
separated from their parents because of misunderstandings. A close follow up locate these minors on the streets where they engage in negative activities such as
prostitution and robbery (Carpenter and Dobkin 133). Although this is an indirect effect of alcohol, it is a proof that young people cannot handle alcohol as compared
to their old drinking counterparts. Therefore, instead instituting various strategies of eliminating alcohol related problems, the government should raise minimum
drinking ages.
Laws and legislations in America remain for the few able and wise (Salam, Barbour and Salameh 341). For instance, in many situations, minors escape drinking
punishments as they can easily higher lawyers to interpret laws in their favor. For instance, prerogative law of driving licenses does not apply for identity cards.
From this perspective, underage people have no obligation of carrying identification documents (Adams, Savahl and Carels 988). Consequently, they have the right of
mentioning their age without producing the vital documents of proof. The constitution of underage drinking people, therefore, offers loopholes for many minors who have
clear knowledge of the same. This has worsened drinking in America hence calling for new strategies. For example, in 2009, Magistrate judge Mel Maurer of the South
Carolina court provided a ruling giving reference to Section 14 under Article 17. This section conditionally gives people over 18 years the full legal right, capacity
and responsibility as compared to other adults. This is a hitch in the constitution, which requires a general overhaul. In as much as one can argue on amending the
constitution raising the minimum drinking age remains the absolute solution. It is in this regards that 24 years suites the polarized minors (Edwards and Kendler
1159).
Consumption of alcohol affects families in different ways. A parent who is an alcohol addict spend less time with his/her family members. Such members prove so violent
to spouses and beloved children. In a case of family violence, a good portion of the family savings takes care of medical expenses after the fight. This can be a good
reason for family breakup. On the other hand, children learn violence from the parents and this automatically ruins their morals.
The widespread drinking among adolescents presents a worrying scenario for the American government. Despite the raise of minimum drinking age from 18 to 21 years,
America still experiences a shot from alcohol related cases. There is increasing magnitude of accidents, social problems and economic disparity. This puts American on
the turntable of alcohol problems hence seeking for a viable, efficient and reactive solution to alcohol problems. Notably, the cost of meeting alcohol related
accidents supersedes revenues collected from the alcohol industry. Evidently, most alcohol related problems arise from the adolescent and minor population who are
anxious to discover life. It is in this regards that increasing minimum drinking age to 24 years remains a clear-cut strategy towards eliminating the alcohol ills.
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