Lowering the Alcohol � PAGE \* MERGEFORMAT �1�
Running head: LOWERING THE ALCOHOL AGE LIMIT
Lowering the Alcohol Age Limit
Kelly Bruton
University of Phoenix Online
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Lowering the Alcohol Age Limit
Across different countries throughout the world, the legal drinking age ranges anywhere from 0 - 21 years of age. Here in the United States, the legal drinking age is 21, the highest in the world. An initiative was launched in July 2008, otherwise known as the Amethyst Initiative to propose lowering the drinking age. This initiative is comprised of presidents from more than 100 colleges and universities here in the United States. This in turn, caused heavy debate amongst several individuals and groups.
The Problem
The members of the Amethyst Initiative argue that by lowering the legal drinking age from 21 to 18 will in turn promote more responsible alcohol use. The members argue that as a result of a higher drinking age, this has led to more binge drinking on campuses across the United States.
English: Total recorded alcohol per capita consump...
Exceptions to Minimum Age of 21 for Consumption of...
Map of the world showing the legal age for purchas...These leaders argue that the higher drinking age limit should not be considered fair to single out alcohol use to a higher age limit since 18 year olds are able to "legally join the military, vote, buy cigarettes, and watch porn" (Sanghavi, 2008). The National Drinking Age Act of 1984 is up for renewal next year, which is what led to the Amethyst Initiative in hopes of provoking national debate to address the issue of irresponsible drinking as a result of a higher age limit. Studies have shown that over 40% of college students across the United States have a problem with alcohol abuse or dependence. Recent studies have shown that 157 college students drank themselves to death between 1999 through 2005 (The Associated Press, 2008). A 2003 study showed that in...