Under Age drinking

1. By: Abby, Fiona, Gabby, and Willa Under Age drinking

2. Look for the Facts Since the U.S. First created a legal drinking age many people have been trying to change and break the law. Studies have shown that with the minimum legal drinking age (MLAD) set at 21, teens are more likely to break that law. The U.S. has recently been debating weather or not they should lower the MLDA. The people who support this possible change have found that the law has not stopped teens from drinking, but has pushed more teens to drink underage. The people who oppose this possible law change bring up the fact that teens are not yet mature enough to handle their alcohol responsibly. While all 50 states have the same law on underage drinking, there are no rules on whether it is allowed to be consumed at home with adult supervision. One of the main arguments for providing alcohol to teens is to ensure the use of alcohol in a safe environment. However, there have been many cases of injury at parties when adults have supplied the alcohol. Since 1984 the MLDA was set at 21 to ensure that teens would be safe from the harm alcohol can cause. This law has been proved ineffective by the amount of DUI and drunk driving accidents a year. In addition to teens finding a way around the MLDA, states have created laws that allow them to find a way around the MLDA. The consumption of alcohol by teens under the age of 21 is generally illegal across the United States. However, 40 states have set laws that allow underage drinking of alcohol under certain circumstances.For example, underage drinking is allowed in 29 states when done on private property with parental consent, 25 states allow it for religious purposes, and 7 states allow it for educational purposes.