Illegal Substances
For many years alcohol has been regarded by society as a temporary escape from reality and the tensions of everyday life. People use alcohol to reduce stress, to relax, and to enjoy a good evening. This should be the purpose of alcohol drinking. They say the legal drinking age is arbitrary and unfair. The legal age of twenty-one as an example of “maturity” is ridiculous. Just because an individual is twenty-one, doesn’t always mean they are mature enough to consume alcohol in a responsible manner. When someone is eighteen, they are legally considered an adult. With the title "adult,' comes a lot of responsibility. Today’s teenagers face more responsibility, and they are treated much differently from the way their parents were treated. If twenty-one is considered responsible, then why is eighteen legally considered an adult? At the age of eighteen, an individual can vote, serve on a jury, stay out without a curfew, leave home, drive, buy weapons, engage in financial contracts, consent for medical care, start a family, be sent to adult prison, join the army, and die for this country. Joe Vasapollo, a non-drinker, said ” Even though I do not drink, I feel that it is ridiculous to be considered an adult at eighteen and not be able to drink... When I was little I asked my uncles if I could have some beer, they responded when you’re a man, Joe!” He continues, “Well at eighteen I am a man, but I still cannot drink if I wanted to.” If an eighteen year-old can be held to so many responsibilities, then it seems unfair to say that they are not old enough to drink.