​The Drinking Age

      Throughout the years of the United States’ existence there have been many attempts to control the access and distribution of alcohol for the purpose of correcting the issues associated with the consumption of alcohol.  These attempts began with Prohibition when the United States’ government outlawed the brewing, distribution, and purchase of all alcohol. This, however, did not prohibit the consumption and possession of alcohol.  The Prohibition Era began in 1920 with the ratification of the 18th amendment and lasted until 1933 when the 21st amendment repealed it. This thirteen-year period resulted in the illegal production of alcohol, as well as underground establishments, known as speakeasies, which served individuals regardless of age.  Once prohibition was repealed the minimum drinking age was left up to the states individually. At this time the majority of states ruled that the minimum drinking age would be eighteen years of age.  This minimum drinking age lasted until 1984 when the federal government passed the National Minimum Drinking Age Act that punished any state with a minimum drinking age lower than twenty-one years of age.  Since the federal government stepped in and passed this bill, no state has considered lowering the minimum drinking age and are unwilling to suffer potential consequences of making such a decision, however the minimum drinking age has remained a hot topic nonetheless. (Choose Responsibility) One may ask if these attempts at restricting the production and consumption of alcohol have been successful? If in fact the outcome desired by raising the minimum drinking age to twenty-one years of age has not been reached, than what other avenues could there be that would solve the current issues?