Essay About Alcohol Risk And United States

Alcohol Risk
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Alcohol Risk        The United States has been facing a serious national problem with underage drinking. The national law on the minimum legal age for alcohol consumption was declared on July 17, 1984 by the United States Congress as a system for all states who want to legislate and amend the minimum age for consumption and possession of alcoholic alcohol from age 21. This law has caused controversy for years. Should the legal age for alcohol consumption be lowered to 18, when alcohol used by young people can be very dangerous?         Many opponents to the lowering of the legal age for alcohol can argue that it will result in more alcohol related accidents. According to Mothers Against Drunk Drivers (MADD), 1 in 4 car crashes with teenagers involve an underage drunk driver. Car accidents are the leading cause of deaths in teenagers. States that increased the legal drinking age to 21 saw a 16% decline in motor vehicle crashes.         According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), drinking by those below the age 21 are linked to death by alcohol. MADD states the 4,300 people are killed each year due to teen alcohol use, more than all other drugs combined. This also causes alcohol dependence later in life.         Lowering the minimum legal drinking age would also medically irresponsible. Alcohol can interfere with changes in brain development. When alcohol interferes with early adult brain development the potential for chronic problem arises. Underage drinking is linked to risky behavior, depression, suicide, and violence.        Alcohol is a dangerous substance. People under the age of 21 do not have the