Annotated Bibliography

“The Legal Drinking Age” Research Project

By: Courtney Crotts

Date: Updated 10/27/19

Birckmayer, J., & Hemenway, D. (1999). Minimum-age drinking laws and youth suicide, 1970-
1990. American Journal of Public Health, 89(9), 1365-8. Retrieved from
https://login.proxy039.nclive.org/login?url=https://search.proquest.com/docview/215088
389?accountid=10163
This article describes the effects that the minimum legal drinking age has on suicide rates
among young adults. It uses statistics gathered between 1970-1990 to gather information
based off both different minimum legal drinking ages. It gives data about the suicide rates
during both of these times and compares them.

Carpenter, Christopher, and Carlos Dobkin. "The Minimum Legal Drinking Age and Public
Health." The Journal of Economic Perspectives, vol. 25, no. 2, 2011, pp. 133-156.
ProQuest,
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766?accountid=10163, doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1257/jep.25.2.133
This journal article provides a large amount of evidence that supports leaving the
minimum legal drinking age at 21 and the benefits behind it. They provide details on how the
minimum legal drinking age affects the rates of death and crime. The article describes exactly
why the minimum legal drinking age should not be 18 and provides compelling facts to support
their argument. It discusses the dangers of alcohol consumption and the effects the minimum
legal drinking age have on those dangers.

Degutis, Linda, DrPH. "Choose Accountability: Keep the Legal U.S. Drinking Age at 21." The
Nation's Health, vol. 38, no. 8, 2008, pp. 3. ProQuest,
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640?accountid=10163.
This article discusses both sides of the issue behind the minimum legal drinking age. It
mentions the effects of lowering the minimum legal drinking age to 18 on binge drinking on
college campuses. It also goes into detail about the brain damage alcohol causes on the young
developing mind. There is adequate information pertaining to both sides of the argument.

Huckle, T., & Parker, K. (2014). Long-term impact on alcohol-involved crashes of lowering the
minimum purchase age in new zealand. American Journal of Public Health, 104(6), 1087-
91. Retrieved from
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4?accountid=10163
This article gives details from a study relating to the minimum legal drinking age and its effects
on alcohol related traffic accidents. It gives detailed explanations of why the minimum legal
drinking age should not be 18. It also compared not only alcohol related traffic crashes but non-
alcohol related traffic crashes as well.

Kapsidelis, Karin. "Changing the Drinking Age?: Some People Say Lowering the Legal
Drinking Age would Reduce Binge Drinking. Others Say that Idea is Ludicrous."
McClatchy - Tribune Business News, Nov 26, 2007. ProQuest,
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912?accountid=10163.
This article argues both sides of this issue well. It reminds you that at 18 years old you
are still a kid. It mentions binge-drinking and how that is connected to underage drinking and
traffic incidents. On the other side of the spectrum, it points out that at 18 you can risk your life
serving your country in the war, you can determine someone's future during jury duty, and you
can vote for the President, but you can’t buy a beer.

Rasul, Jawaid W., et al. "Heavy Episodic Drinking on College Campuses: Does Changing the
Legal Drinking Age make a Difference?" Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, vol.
72, no. 1, 2011, pp. 15-23. ProQuest,
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526?accountid=10163, doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.15288/jsad.2011.72.15.
This article discusses the consequences of lowering the minimum legal drinking age. It
developed a study across 32 college campuses. It also discusses the results of this study and goes
into detail on what would need to take place for lowering the legal minimum drinking age to be
effective and have greater benefits. It embellishes on misperception and heavy episodic drinking
compartments.

Toomey, Traci L., Toben F. Nelson, and Kathleen M. Lenk. "The Age-21 Minimum Legal
Drinking Age: A Case Study Linking Past and Current Debates: (Alcoholism and Drug
Addiction)." Addiction, vol. 104, no. 12, 2009, pp. 1958-1965. ProQuest,
 https://login.proxy039.nclive.org/login?url=https://search.proquest.com/docview/199578
923?accountid=10163, doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1360-0443.2009.02742.x.
This article describes studies showing the results of lowering the minimum legal drinking
age in the past. It shows an increase in traffic crashes related to alcohol consumption. This article
gives information on the history of the minimum legal drinking age and how it has changed over
time and why. It brings the history of this issue and applies it to the context of this issue today.

Wechsler, Henry, PhD., and Toben F. Nelson ScD. "Will Increasing Alcohol Availability by
Lowering the Minimum Legal Drinking Age Decrease Drinking and Related
Consequences among Youths?" American Journal of Public Health, vol. 100, no. 6,
2010, pp. 986-92. ProQuest,
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689?accountid=10163.
This article compares the benefits and consequences of the minimum legal drinking age
being 18 or 21. It provides evidence to support their argument and delves into the facts
surrounding the controversy. It also goes on to inform us of different prevention methods for
underage drinking and the importance of such prevention. It also connects the use of alcohol with
the related health consequences.