Premium Essay

Deaths Due to Underage Drinking

In:

Submitted By cwwj
Words 602
Pages 3
Should we lower the drinking age? This ongoing question has some on the fence. For me this is an easy question to answer. No, my opinion is that the age limit remains the same or increased not lowered. Thru out the course of this paper I will be attempting to show you my reasoning behind my thoughts. I will introduce you to information statistics, and provide you with information about the foolish, senseless acts our young adults have preformed while under intoxication of alcohol.
Underage drinking costs the U.S. more than $58 billion per year. Where does all this money go? Health care, law enforcement, rehabilitation, education, traffic safety, court costs… the list goes on. What does all this mean to us? We have to clean up behind the tragedies left behind. If in health care field you must treat, mend, and care for the sick, mangled, and deceased. Law enforcement must detain, arrest, or call for emergency services. Our school systems impacted by, classroom disruptions, and fights. All this amounts to a downfall in our society. The family suffers greatly with communication breakdowns, increased medical expense, and maybe death of a love one. Approximately eight teens die every day in alcohol-related car crashes. Underage drinking is addictive. Adolescents who begin drinking before the age of 15 are four times more likely to become alcoholics than their counterparts who do not begin drinking until the age of 21. It is plain to me as it should be to you that these underage drinking

statistics, the consequences of underage drinking are far-reaching and serious. Therefore, the consequences of underage drinking affect us all, directly or indirectly.
Statistics show by age 18, more than 70 percent of teens have had at least one drink. Most underage drinking occurs in social settings: “According to SAMHSA’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health, among persons

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

Big Problem

...Underage Drinking at Home: Big Problem Rabia Badar University of Phoenix COMM/215 December 10, 2012 Carol J. Amato, M.A. Should minors be allowed to drink alcoholic beverages in their homes with their parents’ consent? Underage drinking is a big problem throughout United States. The National Minimum Drinking Age Act of 1984 required all states to raise their minimum purchase and public possession of alcohol age to 21. This Act helped decreased the cause of deaths of minors because minors didn’t purchase it. This law only prohibited the minors from purchasing it but not from drinking it. The president of Mothers Against Drunk Driving, for example, accused the university heads of "not doing their homework" on the relationship between the drinking age and traffic fatalities (Tetelbaum 2009). The university was accused they said the deaths only occur between the ages of 18 – 20 but actually the deaths were occurring 16years or younger due to underage drinking. They believe underage drinking shouldn’t be allowed even if it’s at home. What are we really teaching our kids? This is something I talk about all the time at school with my kids and encourage parents to discuss with their kids. The more we discuss this topic with our generation they more they will understand the importance of underage drinking. Underage drinking costs Americans taxpayers approximately 61.9 billion dollars annually and in 2000, only 71 million was spent on prevention. Whereas 1.8 billion dollars...

Words: 833 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Prevent Underage Drinking

...Prevent Underage Drinking 2/1/2012 General Orientation Dr. Graham 2/1/2012 Prevent Underage Drinking You go into a bar and ask for an alcoholic beverage, usually they ask if your 21, but this time you are handed your beverage and not asked for your ID. This is pretty much what goes on at college campuses. Underage drinking without much or any regulation has corresponded to many deaths and serious injuries to underage students. Teaching underage members of society how to drink in moderation, making stricter consequences for the drinkers who are underage and stricter consequences for the supplier should prevent underage drinking. Teaching underage members of society how to drink in moderation would be difficult but it would make underage drinking injuries disappear. In Europe, many of the people there are taught when they are very young how to drink in moderation by giving the kids alcohol moderately throughout the years they are growing up at home. This has caused the accidents and injuries in Europe to go down significantly. Though the drinking age in Europe is lower than America, they have a higher driving age, making it a whole lot harder to get into accidents. With Europe’s process of drinking laws it would make it so much easier to have as many deaths that involve underage drinking. “Alcohol statistics in Europe say that teens coming from homes that had no alcohol and were not taught how to drink responsibly had more issues with alcohol.” This shows the same thing...

Words: 774 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Alcohol In South Dakota

...consumption (Ransom, 2013). Alcohol use can take a toll on one’s health and can also lead to risky behaviors or even death. Nearly 88,000 people die annually due to alcohol-related causes in the United States. Additionally, alcohol consumption can lead to binge drinking, which is typically about 4 drinks for women or 5 drinks for men in a two-hour span. The minimum age to consume alcohol in the United States is 21, but that doesn't stop underage people from drinking. This is extremely relevant in South Dakota where Brookings and Clay County have...

Words: 1584 - Pages: 7

Free Essay

Underage Drinking

...Underage Drinking Introduction Alcohol is the most preferred choice of drug abuse among the youth. Many young people developed the habit of taking too much alcohol at an early age. Underage drinking has lead to numerous health problems in many countries. Many families have lost their children due to excess drinking. Adolescent stage comes with an increased independence, which is linked to alcohol abuse. This study will cover the effects of underage drinking and how it is a controversial issue in the country’s development. The Controversial Issue Teenagers are constantly willing to try different things. Drinking alcohol is one of the things teenagers try to do. Underage drinking is a widespread in the contemporary world. Most of the teenagers end up abusing alcohol. Some have lost their lives due to alcohol abuse. Each year, more than 5,000 young people below 21 years of age in the U.S. die due to alcohol abuse and alcohol related cases. This is a great loss to the society. The government is compelled to set aside funds for rehabilitation centers. The U.S. law does not allow anyone below the age of 21 to drink alcohol. Dangers of Underage Drinking Underage drinking is the chief cause of death among teenagers. Many deaths among young people are due to excess drinking. Excess drinking leads to accidents, homicides, suicides, drowning and other injuries. Too much drinking can harm the brain growth. The brain continues to enlarge and mature...

Words: 595 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Essay On Lowering The Drinking Age

...In July 2009, eight people died in a car accident caused by a thirty year old mother who was driving with her 5-year-old son, his sister and their three cousins from Long Island. The intoxicated mother crashed into another car containing two men and a boy. The only person who survived was the son of the mother while his sister and cousins were burned to death. In 1984, Congress passed the National Minimum Drinking Age Act, which required all states to raise their drinking age from 18 to 21. By doing this the United States planned to decrease the number of deaths due to intoxication. This method has had positive effects but some people plan to change this current law because they feel that if young adults are allowed to vote they should be allowed to drink. It is proven that there are countless...

Words: 1781 - Pages: 8

Premium Essay

Lowering Drinking Age

...there are teenagers participating in underage binge drinking, because of this they are either dead or in jail. This new media culture has glorified the consumption of alcohol among the youth will ultimately will lead to their deaths. Even though it is illegal to purchase alcohol for anyone under twenty-one. The legal drinking age should not be lowered to eighteen because drunk driving accidents would occur more often, adults are more mature at the age of twenty-one, and students in high school would be able to buy alcohol, resulting in even more underage drinking. If the minimum drinking age is lowered, a substantial amount of drunk driving would occur more often. When the drinking age was lowered, during the...

Words: 980 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

The Pros And Cons Of Underage Drinking

...Does the current drinking age really stop underage drinking? Each state in the union has set their drinking age at twenty-one since 1984. Ever since then the underage drinking has not stopped. The drinking legal age of alcohol in the United States of America should be eliminated and replaced with a purchasing age of twenty-one and a non-existent drinking or consumption age in order to allow younger citizens to drink responsibly under the guidance of a someone responsible. To start with, several States believe that the United States has problems labeling alcohol levels in alcoholic drinks. Many in the Illinois legislature have determined those alcoholic drinks such as malt liquor, which include sugar need to include a label stating alcohol levels. (Blackston, M. 2009, Spirited debate). If the Illinois legislatures can take steps to better inform the American people to drink more responsibly, than every other state can join. Many...

Words: 1276 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

Underage Drinking Research Paper

...Underage drinking has become a big problem in our society today. Many young teens die daily due to drinking alcohol, because these teens are abusing the age policy of drinking. Underage drinking is a problem today because it is causing teens to act out in a certain way. This is a problem because teens drinking cause not only health problems, but causes rapes and car accidents. More than half of American youths ages 12 to 20 have tried alcohol. Girls are nearly as likely as boys to experiment with drinking. Drinking at a young age greatly increases the risk of developing alcohol problems later in life. Talking to kids early and openly about the risks of drinking can help reduce their chances of becoming problem drinkers. Most teens find it...

Words: 812 - Pages: 4

Free Essay

Under Age Madness

...Underage madness Have you ever been to a liquor store and you are on your way to a wonderful evening of relaxation, then out of nowhere you are bombarded by a complete stranger asking you to buy them a beer? I know I have, my initial response to that individual would be “might I ask how old you are?” Then from this point you might hear a series of excuses or lies about the situation until they realize that they are getting nowhere with you and move on to the next target. What did you do in this case? Did you attempt to scare that individual, or did you just mosey on about your business? According to the CDC 11 percent of all alcohol consumed in the United States is consumed by children and young adults between the ages of 12-20. More than 90 percent of this alcohol is consumed in the form of binge drinking. According to the U.S. Surgeon General, about 5,000 kids under 21 die every year as a result of underage drinking – from crashes, homicides, and suicides. Teens that drink also are at risk for a long list of other injuries and potential life-long alcohol abuse. Reducing underage drinking can reduce drinking-related harm This problem is important to not only me as a parent but also to you as a driver on the street. Underage drinking is a rapidly growing problem that causes homicides, suicides and public intoxication. We need to put into play harsher punishments for underage drinking and aiding in underage drinking in order to prevent this problem from spreading. We can...

Words: 1496 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

Persuasive Essay On Lowering The Drinking Age

...Much controversy has been debating on the subject of drinking age in the United States. Many people see it unfit that the drinking age in the United States is one of the highest in the world. The United States and the United Kingdom are very close compared to each other and will continue to be compared to one another. The question that must be asked is, should the drinking age be lowered for American voters, servicemen, and women. First, there are many causes to underage drinking illegally in the United States. One theory to this is that today's society is an open minded people aloud to speak out whatever they believe. This is completely legal under the Bill of Rights. In the past though this type of actions were frond upon by families, and communities. Also, underage drinking is due to the curiosity of teenager, or even wanting to fit in with their friends, or cool kids. This could all be prevented or at least reduced if the drinking age was lowered. The reason for this is that it will allow a greater number of teens to become familiar with alcohol, and the affects it has on their body....

Words: 633 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Drinking Age

...Each year, approximately 5,000 young people under the age of twenty-one die as a result of underage drinking; this includes approximately 1,900 deaths from motor vehicle crashes, 1,600 as a result of homicides, 300 from suicide, and as well as hundreds from other injuries (NIAA). In today’s society we are presented with a real epidemic, underage drinking. As children grow older they are brought into different environments where they are presented with different obligations. Children bring alcohol into their lives to be cool or to fit in, but dying of alcohol poisoning leaves young people to fit into which group? Teenagers begin drinking as early as middle school or even sooner. (NLM) It is said that teens who drink are more likely to be victims of violent crimes. They are more likely to have serious problems in school. They are more likely to be involved in drinking and driving accidents. Children who start drinking young are also more likely to develop problems with alcohol later in life. With such a huge epidemic in underage drinking, why would law makers want to lower the legal age? Throughout the United States, most seventeen year olds receive their drivers’ license. Seventeen year olds are still in high school and still testing different waters; some of the “water” is alcohol. It is hard to believe, but 70 percent of all teenagers drink alcohol, and 60 percent of all teen deaths in car accidents are alcohol-related (Eagle). Most parents want to believe that when they hand...

Words: 2193 - Pages: 9

Premium Essay

Underage Drinking: A Functional Analysis

...Underage drinking has become an increasing prevalent social problem among youths in the United States. The article, 1 in 6 high school students binge drink, CDC says, discuss the growing problem of underage drinking and efforts to curb this concern. Despite high rates of teenage drinking, there is a significant decrease in drinking among high school students from 1991 through 2015 (Jimison, 2017). Increased efforts of alcohol prevention are being implemented, such as tougher ID laws and restriction on drunk driving, which contributed to the decrease in drinking. In addition, education about the effects of drinking, especially at a young age, has deterred underage youths from drinking. Drinking can increase the risk of alcohol poisoning, serious injury, or death as students are still developing (Jimison, 2017). Furthermore, 1 in 6 high school students binge drink, CDC says mentioned that a potential cause for underage drinking is parental influence and the...

Words: 629 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Drinking Age

...Drinking Age Should Stay Twenty-One According to Manchester University, “Lowering the drinking age will be a domino effect. Since eighteen year olds already drink, lowering the age will make even younger children think it is okay to drink” (Bigjohny). Many people are saying that the drinking age should be lowered to the age of eighteen; doing that will do more damage than people think. Nothing good could come out of saying an eighteen year can drink legally. The Gale Encyclopedia of American Law states, “An Associated Press study found that one hundred and fifty-seven college-age people, ages eighteen to twenty-three, drank themselves to death between 1999 and 2005” (“Alcohol”). Just look at all the minors being killed due to drinking. With...

Words: 1230 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Lowering The Drinking Age Research Paper

...Higher Drinking Age Almost anyone can agree that alcohol should not be allowed to children or young adults under a certain age. Alcohol is a substance that is very dangerous and if used incorrectly or immaturely the consequences can be great danger to the users or the ones around them. The topic of lowering the drinking age has been in discussion for many decades. Although the age has been lowered and raised again, this topic has not been resolved through the decades. Underage drinking, specifically under the age of 21, should not be allowed in any country because it can be very dangerous, when it comes to substance abuse, traffic accidents and the health risks involving alcohol. The...

Words: 1069 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Lowering the Drinking Age

...lowering the drinking age has been in the process for quite some time now. Many people argue that it should be lowered to the age of eighteen, and some people have argued that it shouldn’t be lowered and stay at twenty-one. Though there are many reasons that prove both arguments correct, the law still remains where it was set at. Most say the drinking age should not be lowered because it would increase the danger and deaths to underage drinkers, but that all has to do with the main argument for lowering the age, maturity. In the United States, at the age of 18, people are not able to buy alcohol but are able to join the military, vote, be considered adults, and buy cigarettes which can be as harmful if not more so than alcohol. I propose that we also add being able to legally buy alcohol at the age of 18. Prior to 1984, states were allowed to choose their own legal drinking ages. The legal age limit varied from state to state anywhere between 18 and 21 years of age. “One of the more compelling arguments for setting the age to 21was that the prohibition had only exacerbated drinking, particularly among the young”(Seaman 242). In 1984, the United States congress passed the national minimum drinking age act. Ronal Reagan instigated this act when he set up a study to look at the drunken driving problem in the United States. Scientists recommended that there should be a national uniform drinking age of 21. Since then, there have been many that oppose and want to reform the drinking age....

Words: 1579 - Pages: 7