The Webster definition of danger is the possibility that you will be hurt or killed. We let danger flow through our blood and often don’t think twice about the consequences. Drunk driving, alcohol poisoning, and inebriated violence are real and happening across the United States. Alcohol is a dangerous drug that is used on a daily basis by American citizens. The law concerning when it’s legal for people to drink has been stirring up major controversy for decades. To ensure everyone’s well-being people need to be aware of the laws in place and any possible amendments that would be safer for the public.
An organization called Choose Responsibility is convinced the current minimum legal drinking age of 21 (MLDA 21) is ineffective and should be amended back to MLDA 18 (McCardell 2007). Choose Responsibility’s persistence left secondary schools across America questioning the MLDA 21 themselves. The result was the creation of a sub-group, the Amethyst Initiative, made up of 136 college presidents and chancellors that also advocate for the MLDA 21 to be lowered to MLDA 18. They have faith that it will reduce binge drinking and produce a safer environment for college and high school students (McCardell 2009). Both groups feel their perspectives and methods are cast away as folly. Portraying the feelings of frustration and borderline helplessness these organizations feel, Turnbow says, “This idea of a forgotten disease is almost absurd–a disease for which a cure is available and effective but never given a chance to work,” (Turnbow 509). Sadly, a well-supported fact is college students drink, disregarding the MLDA 21. In a survey, the drinking problems were highlighted when students reported that 40.1% of them drank at parties and 37.4% drank to be more personable (Hearn & Williams). Carpenter & Dobkin show these amounts of drinking create unsafe environments that involve binge drinking, alcohol-related accidents, violence, and injuries. Choose Responsibility and Amethyst Initiative believe MLDA 21 needs to be changed to make things safer and …show more content…
They explicitly support the law because they believe waiting until the age of 21 manifestly produces greater, more effective benefits compared to previous laws regarding alcohol. Their agenda mainly supports the life-saving effects MLDA 21 has had so far. MLDA 21 supporters report substantially less drunk drivers, chances of alcohol poising, alcohol-related deaths, car crashes, injuries, life-altering consequences (Hedlund et al). A study was conducted over the course of 13 years about the MLDA 21 and how it affected the blood alcohol concentration levels (BACs) in 16 to 20 year-olds. In 1982, before the law was put into place, the percentage with positive BACs was 61%. In 1995, the BACs had gone down to 31%. Empirically speaking, the supporters of the MLDA 21 are living in what they find a much safer country for their children, which according to statistics, are now much less affected when it comes to the influence of alcohol (McCartt et al). No doubt, alcohol is dangerous. It both directly and indirectly affects the well-being of everyone. Therefore, America needs a set of rules in place that keep everyone safe. Choose Responsibility, Amethyst Initiative, concerned parents, and MLDA 21 supporters are in conflict. Each view believes they are fighting against the dangers of alcohol. All claim they increase and ensure safety. However, there can only be one correct course of action. Now is the time to step up and get involved while there’s still a chance to make a
An organization called Choose Responsibility is convinced the current minimum legal drinking age of 21 (MLDA 21) is ineffective and should be amended back to MLDA 18 (McCardell 2007). Choose Responsibility’s persistence left secondary schools across America questioning the MLDA 21 themselves. The result was the creation of a sub-group, the Amethyst Initiative, made up of 136 college presidents and chancellors that also advocate for the MLDA 21 to be lowered to MLDA 18. They have faith that it will reduce binge drinking and produce a safer environment for college and high school students (McCardell 2009). Both groups feel their perspectives and methods are cast away as folly. Portraying the feelings of frustration and borderline helplessness these organizations feel, Turnbow says, “This idea of a forgotten disease is almost absurd–a disease for which a cure is available and effective but never given a chance to work,” (Turnbow 509). Sadly, a well-supported fact is college students drink, disregarding the MLDA 21. In a survey, the drinking problems were highlighted when students reported that 40.1% of them drank at parties and 37.4% drank to be more personable (Hearn & Williams). Carpenter & Dobkin show these amounts of drinking create unsafe environments that involve binge drinking, alcohol-related accidents, violence, and injuries. Choose Responsibility and Amethyst Initiative believe MLDA 21 needs to be changed to make things safer and …show more content…
They explicitly support the law because they believe waiting until the age of 21 manifestly produces greater, more effective benefits compared to previous laws regarding alcohol. Their agenda mainly supports the life-saving effects MLDA 21 has had so far. MLDA 21 supporters report substantially less drunk drivers, chances of alcohol poising, alcohol-related deaths, car crashes, injuries, life-altering consequences (Hedlund et al). A study was conducted over the course of 13 years about the MLDA 21 and how it affected the blood alcohol concentration levels (BACs) in 16 to 20 year-olds. In 1982, before the law was put into place, the percentage with positive BACs was 61%. In 1995, the BACs had gone down to 31%. Empirically speaking, the supporters of the MLDA 21 are living in what they find a much safer country for their children, which according to statistics, are now much less affected when it comes to the influence of alcohol (McCartt et al). No doubt, alcohol is dangerous. It both directly and indirectly affects the well-being of everyone. Therefore, America needs a set of rules in place that keep everyone safe. Choose Responsibility, Amethyst Initiative, concerned parents, and MLDA 21 supporters are in conflict. Each view believes they are fighting against the dangers of alcohol. All claim they increase and ensure safety. However, there can only be one correct course of action. Now is the time to step up and get involved while there’s still a chance to make a