Mili Aldana May 18, 2012 Lower Drinking Age Mrs.

Maiers Literature IA The consumption of Alcohol has become stricter and stricter through the ages. Six millennia ago, in Iran people were drinking beer and wine. Beer-making began as far as 8000 BC., maybe even before bread was invented. Alcohol has been used for medicinal and religious purpose for thousands of years. However alcohol consumption has gone down steadily in recent years in the USA and most western countries (Goodwin 18-22). In 1984, the federal law raised the drinking age, minimum of 21 (McCardell 1). However there are many people in the USA who oppose this law. The drinking age should be lowered to eighteen because at eighteen one is able to put one's life on the line for the country, alcohol benefits minority neighborhoods, and moderate drinking is beneficial to human health. At age 18, one is able to put ones life on the line for the country,. hHowever one cannot buy beer. At age 18 Oone can vote, be trialed as an adult and serve on a jury. Age 21 is ridiculous, and the reasons to back it up are ludicrous. Lack of judgment and maturity, are the reasons why age 21 is the minimum. If at 18, one lacks maturity, and judgment then why is one placed with so many other responsibilities. Why are we allowed to judge someones fate in the cout of law? Why are we allowed to go and fight for our country? Why are we allowed to vote? If one at eighteen, really lack maturity, then why is one allowed to do all these things?The Drinking Law was placed in order to stop drunken driving, but it doesnt make sense. If that law was the best way to eliminate drunken driving then why stop at 21? Why not 25 or more? In the end, the logic breaks down. We must acknowledge that the drinking age is a garbage law that is applied to a specific problem that affects all ages, not just young adults (McCardell 1).

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The Alcohol Industry benefits minority neighborhoods. In 1994, the alcohol industry was being blamed for problems in black communities. Crime and violence in minority neighborhoodsminority neighborhoods are not caused by alcohol but by a lack of education and employment opportunities for young people (Hankin 86). The alcohol industry benefits the black community by creating jobs, generating tax revenues and providing scholarships to local youths (Hankin 86). Our communitys strongest economic force is the licensed industry (Hankin 92). It is the number one employer in the black community and also in the white community. The alcohol industry employs more people and pays more taxes than any other black-owned group of business. With all the extra money, there is enough to generate more scolaships, thus helping the lack of education this community sufers so tediously with. Moderate drinking is beneficial for human health. Moderate drinking has positive health consequences, including a reduced risk of coronary heart disease. The risk of coronary heart disease for non-drinkers is still higher than it is for moderate drinkers. According to Ellison, studies show that moderate drinkers live longer than nondrinkers. The risk of dying of any cause is lower for individuals who consume moderate amounts of alcohol (Ellison 17). According to Ellison, studies show that moderate drinkers live longer than nondrinkers. Results from recent studies show that individuals who reported that they consumed small to moderate amounts of alcohol had lower death rates than non-drinkers. Thus, making the lives of moderate drinkers prolonged. The drinking age should be lowered to eighteen because at eighteen one is able to sign up for the army, minority neighborhoods benefit from alcohol industries, and moderate drinking is beneficial to human health. The drink age of 21and the reasons that support it make no sense at

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all. If the drinking age was lowered then maybe it would put an end to all this controversy about it. If the age was lowered many people would be happy. We need this law lowered right now!