I think alcohol shouldn't be legalize for all ages - Essay Example

Legal Age for Alcohol Consumption It has been widely proved through research that consuming alcohol irrespective of the age will lead to addiction and is risky to the general health of the individual, the effects of which slowly manifest as one ages. People tend to begin the habit at any stage of their lives. Peer pressure, and other personal or problems related with work could be a triggering factor for starting the habit. However, continued consumption of alcohol can cause more severe financial, social, family and health related problems which could have a lasting effect on the individual.

Problems such as pancreatitis, heart and liver problems are associated with alcohol use. Individuals who already have a health problem and those under medication who take to drinking as a regular habit can encounter life-threatening situations. Furthermore, in case of pregnant mother’s who take to this habit they are additionally risking the life of their unborn child. Intake of alcohol, especially from a young age, only increases the risk to alcohol related diseases and problems later in life.

Study estimates reveal that between the ages of 19-29 one in every four men die of alcohol related problems (Merrett). Though the minimum age for consuming alcohol is 21 in most countries, there is heavy lobbying to decrease this age to 18. In places where the age limit has been decreased there are concerns raised about the ill-effects induced by consuming alcohol from a young age. Young people are generally less tolerable to the effects that alcohol imposes on them as they have a naïve physique and their socializing habits increases the risk of accidents and other injuries.

Young people who drink tend to become more violent and engage in unwanted habits and land up with legal problems. This could have an irreversible effect on their future that could include education, work and family. Thus such people live a less fulfilled life and become a source of unhappiness for both their immediate family and peers. A private website has revealed that about 74% of adults in US support legal action taken against those who host parties where underage drinking is allowed. They believe that such actions would help to prevent injuries to innocent people who are victimized in drunken driving and other accidents.

The survey also revealed that some adults approve underage drinking when supervised by parents or a guardian (“Alcohol Consumption under Parental Supervision”). However, the health of the individual is compromised irrespective of being supervised or not. Hence by and large the ill-effects related to alcohol drinking outweigh all the other effects such as drinking due to social status and peer pressure. Hence the legal system must enforce more sever laws concerning alcohol consumption especially with regard to young adults.

It would be better if it does not legalize alcohol consumption for all ages. More awareness about the effects due to alcohol consumption needs to be brought out and people educated well about them. ConclusionAlcohol is a slow poison that could have a devastating effect on the user when consumed in high proportions, which is likely to happen over a period of time. The major effects due to consumption of alcohol have been high lightened above and suitable laws need to be enforced to prevent legalizing this habit among all age groups.

It is best to abstain from consuming alcohol to lead a healthy and successful life. Family also plays a vital role in helping people abstain from this habit. Hence parents and relatives must set a good example to their children and create awareness in the home about such habits which will alleviate the need for strict laws and rules. Reference:1. Merrett, Neil. A half measure of alcohol reforms. Meatprocess. 7 Jul 2008. 13 Oct 2008. < http://www.meatprocess.com/Safety-Legislation/A-half-measure-of-alcohol-reforms> 2.

“Alcohol Consumption under Parental Supervision”. Lawyers. 10 July 2007. 12 Oct 2008.