Raising the legal age of drinking to 21 - DEBATE FOR THE MOTION

Raising the legal age of drinking to 21 – FOR

Madame Chairwoman, and members of the floor, I would like to propose that by raising the legal age of drinking alcohol to 21, not only would there be less underage drinkers, but it would save many lives.

You will be shocked to find, that statistics by the British Medicine Association show that the number of drink-driving accidents caused an estimated 560 deaths in 2003. How could anyone argue that we should not raise the drinking age, if we are able to save lives? Surely saving at least a few lives is better than none?

If we raised the age limit, then the government would definitely be stricter on ID, because they would need to check everyone’s ID to make sure they are 21 or over. This will prevent people under 21s to buy alcohol. Furthermore, the police would have to deal with less alcohol related crimes, so they can concentrate on other crimes and accidents.

Not only are there short consequences like car accidents, increased violence, suicide, and risky behaviour such as unprotected sexual activity, Dr Dufour, Deputy director of NIAAA said, that there are findings which show a much greater risk of long-term alcohol–related problems. If the age limit is too low, many teenagers will not realise the health risks caused by drinking.

The myth that drinking could benefit your health is a false claim. Alcohol has been linked to a wide range of illnesses, such as the increased risk of getting cancer, high blood pressure, liver disease, and lots more. Excessive ...

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The myth that drinking could benefit your health is a false claim. Alcohol has been linked to a wide range of illnesses, such as the increased risk of getting cancer, high blood pressure, liver disease, and lots more. Excessive alcohol consumption can also lead to social and psychological consequences.

Some may argue that we can fight for our country at eighteen but we are not able to drink. Yes, you are handed a gun when you join our military, but this is for a good cause. You are handed a beer, but that is not helping our country in any way. Also, by going through the military training, you will most likely come out a better, more mature person. So what if you are able to serve you country at eighteen, no one says that you are actually mature enough to drink.

You may be thinking that of course you are all mature enough to drink! Well, everyone knows that people mature with age because they have been around for a longer time. Therefore even though you may be mature now, everyone’s behaviour can change under different circumstances.

The federal government annual national survey on alcohol uses has proven, that students with grades average of D or F drink three times as much as those who earn A grades. Hence, it shows that drinking has negative effect on your performance.

By raising the legal age to 21, it is not a discrimination against teenagers. Your age will change, unlike the colour of you skin or your gender. So, do not think that raising the drinking age is a discrimination against you, it is merely a rule made for you own safety.

The Institute of Alcohol Studies claims the immensity of the drinks consumed by those aged 16 and 17 are bought by themselves - rather than an amenable adult – therefore the law needs to become stricter to eradicate this growing problem.

I hope my views have clearly convinced you about the desperate need to modify the legislation on the legal age of drinking.