Abstract
This paper argues for the repeal the National Minimum Drinking Age Act of 1984. It states that the law denies the pre-eminence of states' rights and is unconstitutional. The paper describes the special interest groups' influence on politicians through the example of the lobby group, Mothers Against Drunk Driving. The paper also addresses the issues of drunk driving and alcohol abuse prevention.

From the Paper
"The United States, along with only a handful of other countries, enforces the world's highest minimum drinking age: 21. This conservative constraint occurred fairly recently: the National Minimum Drinking Age Act of 1984 effectively blackmailed all states into adopting a standard drinking age. By 1987, all fifty states established the federal standard because to not do so would entail losing highway funding. This political blackmail was necessary, for this is a states' rights issue. Until the Reagan years, the drinking age was determined on a state-by-state basis and ranged from 18 to 21. However, with pressure from special interest groups like Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), a dangerous precedent was established to usurp states' rights. The motives behind the 1984 bill were admirable: raising the drinking age was expected to lower the incident of traffic fatalities and discourage irresponsible intoxication."

Tags:madd, lobby, group, special, interest, minimum, highway, funding, drunk, driving

Abstract
This paper discusses the debate surrounding the lowering of the legal minimum drinking age and, in doing so, examines and compares two peer-reviewed articles on the subject: "Effects of Minimum Drinking Age Laws" by A.C. Wagenaar and T.L. Toomey and "Indirect Effects of Lowering the Drinking Age on New Zealand Students' Alcohol-Related Behaviours and Attitudes" by K. Brownfield, K. Fernando and J. Halberstadt. The paper shows how these two articles answer a number of questions regarding the sociological and scientific research discussions about the effects that a lowered drinking age has on driving under the influence.

Outline:
Introduction
Results and Discussion
Conclusion

From the Paper
"The legal minimum drinking age is a highly debated and frequently contested issue in public policy and law. One of the most incremental issues regarding the legal drinking age is the number of automobile accidents, that involve drinking. DUIs are significant issues in any community and among teens and youthful drinkers they seem to be even more significant due to the fact that these drivers are inexperienced, often distracted and highly likely to challenge the boundaries of safe driving with or without alcohol. (Sarkar & Andreas, 2004, p. 687) There are those who say that a reduction in the drinking age will likely result in an increase in the incidence of DUI and DUI related accidents while still others say that the drinking age should be lowered as it allows drinking behavior to be monitored and controlled in a way that is positive for the community and would likely reduce incidence of DUI."

Tags:risks, teenagers

Abstract
The paper argues against the Constitution's raising of the legal drinking age to 21 years nationwide. The paper discusses the rise in alcoholism among teenagers since the act came into effect in 1984 and several other reasons why the law should be removed. Finally, it touches on the the fact that the law can be seen as unconstitutional for it clearly favors federal jurisdiction where there should be none.

From the Paper
"At age 18, an American can vote, fight and die in a war, marry, own homes and cars, and even firearms. But these rights somehow do not measure up to the right to drink beer, wine, and spirits. The specter of Prohibition loomed when Americans decided that alcohol consumption was so sacred and powerful that citizens can vote before they can consume alcohol legally. The paradox is astounding but fails to impress American puritanical standards."

Tags:Mothers, Against, Drunk, Driving, MADD, Alcohol, traffic, fatalities

Abstract
This paper examines the problem of alcohol-related accidents, underage drinking and its effects on the number of driving accidents in New Jersey and nationwide. The paper attempts to answer the question: Does the legal drinking age affect the number of driving accidents that involve alcohol in New Jersey? The paper concludes that raising the minimum age when people can purchase and consume alcohol has been shown to positively affect the rate of accidents involving alcohol and the young.

Contents:
Introduction
Background
Legal Definition of Driving While Under the Influence
Zero Tolerance Law
Effectiveness of Minimum Legal Drinking Age Laws in Reducing Alcohol Related Traffic Accidents and Deaths
Conclusion

From the Paper
"According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation, (NHTSA), there were 2,160 teen drunk-driving crashes in the United States in 2001 (latest available statistics) The measure represents the total number of people (occupants and non-occupants) killed in crashes in which at least one teenage (16-20) driver had a BAC of .08 or higher. While teens killed because of drinking and driving remains unacceptable at any number, the total represents a 35% decline since 1990 and a full 60% since 1982."

Tags:car, accident, crash, youth, under, age, drug, abuse

Abstract
This paper examines the issue of a minimum age for a driver's license, citing adolescent impulsivity, drinking and driving, and the preponderance of countries where the minimum age is at least 17.

From the Paper
"The issue of age requirements for a driver's license eligibility is one that requires serious review. Although opinions differ on the optimal minimal age for a driver's license issuance, scientific data and that of other related studies indicate that teens should begin driving later rather than sooner. Several factors impact the feasibility of teen driving; impulsivity, the prevalence of teen drinking in conjunction with driving, and the preponderance of countries where the minimum driving age is..."

Tags:driver's license, minimum age, alcohol, brain, impulsivity, psychology, adolescent

Abstract
This paper contends that in a free society, members of society need to be trusted with freedom. The paper argues that we as a society call upon this age group to defend and die for our freedom, they were granted the right to vote in 1971, and are in all other aspects are treated as adults. The paper maintains that freedom and responsibility should be the guiding norms for the regulation of inappropriate behavior, not the wholesale banning of a freedom.

From the Paper
"This paper shall make a case that the national drinking age limit should be 18 rather than the current age of 21. In a free society, members of society need to be trusted with freedom. We as a society call upon this age group to defend and die for our freedom. They were granted the right to vote in 1971, and are in all other aspects are treated as adults. Freedom and responsibility should be the guiding norms for the regulation of inappropriate behavior, not the wholesale banning of a freedom.
"It could be a weekly experience in reading any number of national..."

Tags:alcohol, consumption, minimum age

Abstract
The paper considers arguments both opposed to a minimum legal drinking age (MLDA) of 21 and in favor of a MLDA and then concludes with arguments in favor of a MLDA. The paper includes statistics regarding the effects of a MLDA, which support the author's conclusion.

From the Paper
"Proponents of lowering the drinking age argue that young people under the age of 21 tend to drink in a more abuse manner than do those of legal age, as alcohol is seen as a "forbidden fruit". One such proponent is Dr. Ruth Engs, Professor of Applied Health Sciences at Indiana University in Bloomington. According to Engs (Alcohol and Youth Issues, 2004): "Although the legal purchase age is 21, a majority of young people under this age consume alcohol, and too many of them do so in an irresponsible manner. This is largely because drinking is seen by these youth as an enticing "forbidden fruit," a "badge of rebellion against authority," and a symbol of adulthood.""

Tags:alcohol, consumption, dangers, young, people, fatalities, abuse, accidents, rebellion

Abstract
This paper examines the issue of minimum drinking age laws and finds them ineffective. Citing low enforcement, an increase in binge drinking, fatalities, and other problems, the paper concludes that alternative should be found to the current laws.

From the Paper
"Laws prohibiting drinking under the age of ... are intended to reduce alcohol consumption and alcohol-related fatalities in teens. Recent studies, however, indicate that these laws are largely ineffective at preventing either the incidence of either. Introduction The efficacy of minimum drinking age laws (MDALs) have been hotly debated for decades. On the one hand many believe that the drinking age laws prevent a larger proportion of teens from drinking and driving thus also preventing many alcohol-related traffic fatalities among teens. A number of studies have been..."

Tags:drinking age, laws, MDALs, fatalities, students, binge drinking