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Angelina Gallardo

Ms. Acosta

English 12

04 December 2020

Alcohol is a Neurotoxin

Lowering the drinking age is like letting an infant play with a weapon.

When an infant plays with a weapon, whether it be a gun, knife, or a pair of sharp

scissors, the situation can result in death or serious injury. This issue is very comparative to what

happens when a teenager drinks a heavy amount of alcohol. Like a child with a weapon,

teenagers will be confused and not be able to control what they are doing when under the

influence of an addictive drug. They could make regrettable choices which could negatively

affect the rest of their life. For that, the drinking age has become a big topic of debate, wondering

if 18 should be the preferable drinking age. Although some may say that lowering the drinking

age to 18 is acceptable since they are considered adults, having 18 year olds drink legally is

illogical because it damages their brain’s ability to grow.

According to the National Health and Medical Research Council, addiction to alcohol can

begin as early as 15 years of age and affect them until their early twenties. Alcohol consumption

results in teengers having a slowed down brain that could result in the following: poor vision,

slurred speech, lack of coordination, and poor muscle control. “The hippocampus which is

responsible for memory and learning. Studies of adolescents show that heavy and extended

alcohol use is associated with a 10 per cent reduction in the size of the hippocampus,” NHMRC
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points out. This part of the brain, which is located in the temporal lobe’s inner region, is sensitive

to alcohol and may result in destroying your hippocampus, ruining your ability to grow and learn

new things. Another part of the brain that is being influenced by this drug is the prefrontal lobe,

responsible for decision making, judgement, and language. The prefrontal lobe, according to

NHMRC, “changes the most during the teenage years.” In fact, they say teenagers who drink

tend to have smaller prefrontal lobes than the ones who do not drink. This is why teenagers

should not be able to drink, they’re minds are still developing and with them drinking, they ruin

the development of their brain and perform poorly at school, also doing things which are due to

the poor thinking alcohol brings.

Opponents state the drinking age should be lowered because an 18 year old is considered

an adult and should be able to drink whenever they want. According to CNN’s article, “Should

the U.S lower its drinking age?” Dwight B. Heath, an author of many books concerning this

subject, claims, “... The younger people start to drink, the safer they are.” This is because they

will grow to understand the effects of drinking and have their parents educate them and once

they’re old enough to drink by themselves, they’ll understand due to their childhood. In fact,

there are several countries such as Germany and Belgium that allow 16 year olds to drink. It is

understandable why the opposition believes the drinking age should be lowered considering it is

the beginning of adulthood for many 18 year olds. Though it is a valid argument, the mind of an

18 year old is still developing and with them drinking, it will result in poor performance and give

teenagers the ability to make lifelong regrettable decisions. No teenager should be able to drink

legally and ruin their future.

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In conclusion, there are many reasons as to why 18 year olds should not be able to drink,

specifically to protect the wellbeing of young adults and regular adults. It’s important to keep

teenagers safe, and allow them to drink when the time is right so as to allow them time to focus

on the next step of their lives. A murderer is something a person doesn’t want to be called at a

young age. Any decision a person makes could affect the rest of their life, whether it be

positively or negatively. And so, if someone who is 18 decides to drink, it’s important they watch

the amount they consume or delay their need for a drink for a few more years. One might say it’s

easy to understand their actions after having a couple of drinks but the truth is, nobody knows

what they’re doing when they’re under the influence.

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Works Cited

Alcohol and the Developing Brain,

healthywa.wa.gov.au/Articles/F_I/Information-for-parents-alcohol-and-the-developing-bra

in.

Griggs, Brandon. “Should the U.S. Lower Its Drinking Age?” CNN, Cable News Network, 4 Jan.

2015, www.cnn.com/2014/07/16/us/legal-drinking-age/index.html.