Should the United States Lower the Drinking Age to 18?

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The legal age limit to drink in the U.S. is 21 years old currently. Even though the legal age limit is 21 to drink, there are many people who are abusing this law and drinking illegally. I believe that the legal age limit should be lowered to 18. In order for this to happen other U.S. citizens will have to vote to lower the age limit. I am interested in this because if it was lowered it would make it legal for my age group. Although there will possibly be more alcohol related incidents resulting in injury and possibly death. Lowering the legal age limit will allow people who do it illegally now to be able to do it in a safer environment. This will result in less alcohol related incidents. The age limit to drink alcohol should be lowered because the benefits overtime will out way the harm it will cause.
Alcohol affects the body in many different ways. On the website drugfreeworld.org the author tells us about the bad long term and short term effects of alcohol on the body. One long term effect is that it makes the liver work to hard causing it to fail. When the liver fails to function properly the body takes in toxins that harm it. These toxins harm the body in many different ways. One short term effect is that it causes decreased perception and coordination. The decreased perception of things causes things to appear closer or farther away than they really are. The decreased coordination make the people very clumsy resulting in injury. Some other short effects of alcohol on the body are vomiting, slurred speech, and headaches. Some other long term effects of alcohol are alcohol poisoning, Ulcers, and sometimes cancer of the mouth and throat (“Short Term and Long Term Effects”, 2014).
Drinking alcohol in moderate amounts does have positive effects on the body. In the article, “Alcohol: The Benefits of Moderate Drinking” from fitday.com, the author talks about the benefits from drinking alcohol. Drinking alcohol in moderate amounts help reduce stress, anxiety and tension. Small amounts of alcohol can cause stress reduction. This makes the person feel more relaxed and easier to be around. Also people who drink alcohol in moderate amounts get more sleep than people who don’t. Drinking alcohol in moderation causes better Cardiovascular Health. The risk of developing coronary artery disease is lowered when you drink alcohol in moderation (Alcohol: The Benefits of Moderate Drinking, 2013).

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