WHY 21 ?

Ever wonder why 21 was chosen as the “Magic Age” to be considered old enough to drink legally?

Two Reasons Brain Development Statistical Evidence

Just like roller coasters that require you to be a certain height before you can ride SAFELY, you need to be a certain age (a certain level of nervous system development actually) before you can SAFELY drink responsibly.

Brain Development There are 2 distinct centers in the brain that deal with conscious actions The Limbic System The Cerebral Cortex

The Limbic System One of the oldest parts of the brain (evolutionarily speaking) This means it evolved very early in man’s evolution Needed for survival Yes/No answers – no reason involved in decisions Only concerned with immediate wants, desires, and needs

The Limbic System I want – I take I’m hungry – I eat I’m thirsty – I drink I’m tired – I sleep I’m bored – I play I’m Angry – I yell or strike out I’m sad – I cry

The Limbic System The Limbic System controls urges, impulses, and emotions Very SELF- centered Only concerned with immediate wants, desires, and needs This system develops in-utero in humans

The Limbic System Alcohol inhibits nervous system development This is why women who consume alcohol during pregnancy are at a higher risk to deliver babies with brain damage (among other things)

Cerebral Cortex (pre-frontal lobe) This area of the brain is the newest (evolutionarily speaking) It finishes developing very late in human development (19-21 years)

Cerebral Cortex (pre-frontal lobe) Responsible for: –Reflection –Reasoning –Understanding long and short term consequences –Upper level decision making Slowly assumes control over Limbic System impulses Allows learning from experiences

Cerebral Cortex (pre-frontal lobe) Alcohol use before completion of cerebral cortex development actually inhibits (stops) development of the part of the brain designed to control the urges that can lead to alcohol abuse! In other words, drink before your brain is grown, and your brain won’t be able to stop you from abusing alcohol

Statistical Reasons for a Legal Drinking Age of 21 Behavior of 18 year olds is particularly influential on youths ages 15-17, because young people typically imitate the behavior of those who are slightly older than them rather than those significantly older than them

Statistical Reasons for a Legal Drinking Age of 21 98% of all alcoholics treated in the US began drinking before age 21 92% began drinking before age 17 Damaged Pre-frontal lobe maybe?????

Statistical Reasons for a Legal Drinking Age of 21 State motor vehicle data shows that in states that lowered the drinking age from 21 to 18 in the 1970’s, there was an increase of 25% in traffic accidents and 35% in alcohol related fatalities, for this age group.

Statistical Reasons for a Legal Drinking Age of 21 Using national data, marijuana and cocaine use by high school age students dropped dramatically when the legal drinking age was raised back to 21 Between 1979 and 1984 the suicide rate was 9.7% higher among teens who could legally consume alcohol than those who could not.

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