Underage drinking has been an on going issue for decades now. There is much debate on whether or not the minimum legal drinking age of 21 in the United States, implemented in 1984 under the Uniform Drinking Age Act, is working with the young adult population. The drinking age should not necessarily be lowered to 18 indefinitely (by this I mean lowering the drinking age to 18 for legal purchase and consumption of ALL types of alcohol), but there is a plausible alternative that will lower the drinking age while still controlling and restricting the consumption of alcohol among young adults under 21. This can be done by making it legal for 18-20 year olds to drink and buy alcohol with a lower alcohol content, such as 3.2% ABV beer. Why? Binge Drinking- -A culture of private binge drinking has arisen from the minimum legal drinking age being 21 by prohibiting teens from drinking at public places such as bars and restaurants. This pushes 18-20 year olds to go “under ground” and drink in private. Lowering MLDA 21 to 18 would allow 18- to 20-year-olds to drink alcohol safely in regulated environments with supervision. -Alcohol is seen as the “Forbidden Fruit” so kids want to drink because they are not legally allowed to. Lowering MLDA 21 to 18 would make alcohol less of a taboo and take away the thrill that many young people get from breaking the law, and make alcohol consumption a more normalized activity done in moderation. -MLDA 21 is ineffective because the many young adults continue to consume alcohol. According to the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse, 17.5% ($22.5 billion) of consumer spending for alcohol in the US is from persons under the age of 21. In 2006, 72.2% of 12th graders reported drinking alcohol at some point in their lives. -The use of Fake ID’s has forced young adults to make even more ethical compromises along with drinking illegally. Given other rights and Responsibilities- -young adults under 21 are held liable for all other rights and responsibilities that older adults have excluding being able to drink legally. This is an especially hot issue for those young adults that serve in the military. These rights and responsibilities include: Voting, serving in jury duty, paying taxes, serving in the armed forces, and entering into legal contracts among other things. -Drinking alcohol is an enjoyable activity. 18- to 20-year-old adults should not be denied that enjoyment when other pleasurable activities are legal at age 18. -MLDA at 21 is unconstitutional because it is discrimination against the population of people age of 18 to 20 year olds. -Although many believe that anyone under the age of 21 is prohibited from consuming alcohol in the United States, underage drinking is permitted in 29 states if done with parents consent and in private, in 25 states if for religious reasons, and in 7 states if for educational purposes. Health- -Drinking in moderation is good for one’s health, including teens at age 18 to 20. -Lowering the drinking age would reduce the number of underage people who hurt themselves from alcohol related injuries because they would not be as afraid to seek medical attention if they needed it. -Drunk driving fatalities as a percentage of total traffic fatalities in the United States have steadily fallen since 1982, two years before the Uniform Drinking Age Act was established. This decline has occurred across all age groups and demographic regions, so it cannot be reliably attributed to MLDA 21.