"Despite a minimum drinking age of 21, many young people in the United States .
" (NIAAA) From research done and statistics shown alcohol users are mostly found in ages 14-19; grade 8th -12th. Although other drug use besides alcohol may be a problem; in the society we live in today the biggest problem that is seemed to be known is alcohol use among the youth.
Alcoholism is defined as "an illness marked by consumption of alcoholic beverages at a level that interferes with physical or mental health". (A.D.A.M) For the youth over drinking is not the first hand problem, it's the fact that they are under-age drinking in general. "Thirteen to fifteen year olds are at high risk to begin drinking."(NIAAA) " According to results on an annual survey of students in 8th, 10th and 12th grades, 26% of 8th graders, 40% of 10th graders and 51% of 12th graders state they have drunk alcohol in the past month."(NIAAA) From those with alcohol as part of their lives many factors are known to play a role in the use of alcohol. " A person who has an alcoholic parent is more likely to consume alcohol, friends and the peer pressure in schools and the media especially in movies where it is shown that drinking is a "cool" thing to do". (A.D.A.M.) greatly influence a decision on drinking. .
The alcohol age use is set at age 21 because it is said that the human brain will be developed to its full at that age and the affects of alcohol use will be smaller. In youth's as well as adults " alcoholism is a type of drug addiction. There are both physical and psychological dependence with alcoholism." "Psychologically it affects the central nervous system as a depressant, which leads to a decrease in activity, anxiety and tensions." " At younger ages even a one sip of alcohol can start reactions in the body. Physically it weakens the body in it's entirety." (A.D.A.M) "For the youth a dramatic effect alcohol does is it affects school performances and social activities".
