1. DRINKING AGE Erick Castillo

2. Minimum Legal Drinking Age (MLDA) The drinking age in the United States is set at 21 Some states do allow drinking underage Under adult supervision or at home If the drinking age is lowered there are some pros and cons

3. Pros 18 is the age where you are considered an adult Higher fatality rates occur within the first few years of legal drinking Would allow drinking alcohol in safer areas Would make alcohol less of a problem when entering college

4. Cons Lowering the MLDA would be medically irresponsible Would allow a greater of the population be able to drink Many rights In the United States start at age 21 The drinking should not be lowered to mirror Europe’s drinking due to the fact that underage drinking is higher in Europe

5. Statistics There are about 10.8 million underage drinkers in the US 60% of teenage deaths in car accidents Are related to alcohol (#1 killer) 70% of young people engage in Heavy drinking by ages 19-20

6. Why teens drink under the MLDA Stress Peer pressure Mass media Availability (party, friends, etc.) Curiosity Not knowing any better

7. Deaths Half of teens die due to drinking and driving 5,000 people under the age of 21 Die as a result of underage drinking 54% of those deaths occur on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday 31% of teen car accidents involve alcohol

8. What I think MLDA shouldn’t be lowered Some teens have no knowledge of alcohol Most teens under the MLDA die in a car Drinking alcohol is not smart Drinking doesn’t make you cool

9. Reference www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/01/130122162232.h tm www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/01/130122162232.h tm drinkingage.procon.org/ www.firsteagle.com/tdd.htm teens.lovetoknow.com www.edgarsnyder.com