Could you imagine a 45 year old alcoholic and gang leader sitting alongside a fresh 18 year old at a bar? Today, it may seem ludicrous but soon this situation may become reality due to the support for lowering the legal age of recreational alcohol consumption from 21 to 18. At 18 years old, teens are hardly able to manage a grocery list and safely control vehicles such as cars, motorcycles etc. Therefore, expecting them to limit their consumption to what is considered appropriate while abiding by laws previously implemented, such as the policy of not drinking and driving is prone to be a precursor to a life of alcoholism and perpetual failure to meet requirements. Medical professionals can validate that drinking at 18 has a much more profound impact on an individual compared to drinking at the age of 21, both physically and mentally. Furthermore, lowering the legal age of alcohol consumption will be a burden and responsibility that all of society …show more content…
Many adults undermine this without considering the long term effects. Drinking under the age of 21, can “interfere with with the development of the young adult’s brain’s frontal lobe,” which serves as a regulator of emotions and gives us the ability to make sensical plans and organizational decisions. Additionally, alcohol influences the functionality of every organ including the liver, kidneys, heart etc. causing detrimental and painful diseases such as cirrhosis. Consequently, people who drink at a young age will only add to the increasing amount of alcoholics and temperamental handicaps in society. In terms of short term effects, I feel that many 18 year olds aren’t mature enough to responsibly handle their alcohol. Restless energy should be applied towards more productive areas, such as studying or playing a sport rather than killing brain