Veronica Garcia Composition 18 April 2002 Drinking Age Lowered           Prohibition was enforced twice in this country, first by the states in the 1850's and then by the federal government in the 1920's. Both times it failed to be effective; it added to the widespread disrespect for the law and the growth of organized crime. Prohibition promoted excessive and abusive drinking behavior. Once prohibition ended the abusive alcohol consumption was reduced. Then in 1987, the law raised the drinking age to twenty-one. Like prohibition, it is counter-productive in reducing the consumption of alcoholic beverages. Since the increase in the minimum legal drinking age, young adults tend to drink in a more abusive manner than those of legal age.           Turning eighteen can symbolize the start of adult life, which is accompanied with a great deal of responsibility. Eighteen year olds are able to purchase cigarettes, register to vote, and even serve in the military. A great number of responsibilities are shouldered by eighteen year olds, waiting to be twenty-one to purchase alcoholic beverages shouldn't be one of them. Therefore, the drinking age should be lowered to eighteen. After all, if they are old enough to enlist and fight for their country, why should they be denied the right to purchase alcoholic beverages?           Lowering the drinking age will not solve the problem of under age drinking among our nation's youth, but it could be a step in the right direction. Parents and professionals need to educate the under aged population to drink moderately and responsibly.  Many under-aged drinkers think drinking shows evidence of being mature, but responsible consumption is the only evidence of maturity. Allowing eighteen year olds to drink is not a problem: abusive drinking is.           By restricting the drinking age to twenty-one, many young adults see alcohol as challenge or test. Take a look at other cultures where alcohol is not restricted, and you will notice they have fewer problems with the consumption of alcohol. These cultures educate their young about moderate alcohol consumption by setting an example and drinking moderately. They show their young that abusive alcohol consumption is not socially tolerated.           Eighteen year olds are introduced into the real world and made responsible for their actions, yet they are not deemed responsible enough to have an alcoholic beverage. The more people are prohibited from doing something the more they want to do that thing. This is why the legal drinking age should be eighteen.