SHOULD THE LEGAL DRINKING AGE BE LOWERED TO 18?

No, The legal drinking age should not be lowered to 18.

These two beautiful young women were killed in a car accident due to a drunk driver who was over the legal drinking age.

Introduction:-Each year over 250,000 people die from sickness by alcohol.-Over 50,000 people get alcohol poisoning. -Each year over 40,000 babies are born with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome.

I believe it should NOT be lowered because drunk driving accidents would double due to more legal drinkers. Over 40% of car accidents are due to drunk driving of adults over the legal drinking age of 21 already.

3 main points:-The practices and behaviors of 18 year olds are particularly influential on a younger population.

-There is already enough ignorant people over the legal drinking age.

-Many people die each year due to alcohol related incidents.

ARGUMENT #1:

MANY TEENS AND OR KIDS ARE ALREADY DRINKING DUE TO INFLUENCES:

-In fact researchers suggests that lowering the drinking age will make alcohol more available to younger kids.

-If 18 year olds get the “Okay” to drink,They will be modeling drinking for younger teens.

ARGUMENT #2:

IF THE DRINKING AGE IS LOWERED, WE WOULD HAVE MORE IRRESPONSIBLE

PEOPLE THAN WE DO NOW:

-Drinking and driving kills 3,000 teens each year. That’s 10 teens everyday.

-Over 15,000 adults are killed each year due to alcohol related symptoms. That’s 1 adult every 20 minutes.

-Each year over 40,000 babies are born with FADS(Fetal Alcohol Down Syndrome).

Argument #3

To many people die or get sick by alcohol. Alcohol knocks 10 years off of your life.

Alcohol goes directly into the bloodstream , physically affecting the whole body. Some other illnesses and health problems cause by alcohol are:-Hangovers, High blood pressure, Weight gain, and Depressed immune system.-Cancer, Liver disease, Alcohol poisoning, Heart or respiratory failure.

Raquel Nicole Martinez:12/10/91-4/2/09

On December 10, 1991, God sent our angel Raquel Nicole Martinez to Christine and Rosendo. Raquel danced her way to heaven on April 2, 2009.

Raquel was born in Galveston, Texas and she attended Texas City High School where she was very active. Quel’s positive outlook on life touched many people’s hearts. She achieved all the goals she set forth - cheerleading, dancing, choir, boxing and all athletic activity.

She is preceded in death by her devoted grandfather Pioquento Martinez and her best friend Samantha Romero.

Raquel is survived by her parents Christine Martinez and Roy Soliz; siblings Denisia Farris, Aaryiane Laday, Amaya Price, Nadia and Trey Soliz; grandparents Jerry and Connie Onhiser, Judy Martinez, Rosendo Soliz, Jr. and Clint Midgett. She will be sadly missed by aunts, Tina and Misti Soliz, Michelle Martinez, Patricia Serenil, and Elizabeth Garza; uncle Mike Evans; cousins, and many friends including the love of her life, Cosmo Gazelas.

Pallbearers will be Cosmo Gazelas, Fernando Soliz, Roy Soliz, Elias Morales, Jonathan Cermeno, and Dorian Huff. Honorary pallbearers will be Mike Evans, Mike Martinez and the Texas City High School Stingarettes.

Samantha Renee Romero:11/10/91-3/21/09Samantha Romero, 17, of Texas City, passed away Saturday, March 21, 2009, in a tragic car accident. Samantha was born in Galveston, Texas November 10, 1991. She attended Texas City High School. The love of her life was being a Stingarette, and attending cosmetology class. Samantha enjoyed dancing, music and making people laugh. She would spend hours coloring with her nieces and friends. Sam will be missed but never forgotten.Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me. It is spring and God needed a flower for his beautiful garden that’s why he picked me.Samantha is preceded in death by her father Ramiro Romero, Sr.; grandfather Martin Ortiz; aunt Josephine Romero, and uncle Edward Romero. Survivors include her mother Tracy Leal (Kyle Williams); sisters Rachel Romero and Meray Perez; brothers Edward Romero, Ramiro Romero and Christian Ramirez; grandparents Ophelia Ortiz, Jesus and Josephine Romero; aunts Tammy Leal and Jessica Muniz (Eric); uncle Carlos Romero (Niki), nieces Kristina Ayala, Iyana Romero, Abrielle Garcia, and Amaiya Perez; nephew Kaiden Perez, all of Texas City, Texas.

Sam and Raquel were NOT the only ones:

Jacqueline Saburido:

BEFORE: AFTER:

Should the legal drinking age be lowered to 18?

I believe it SHOULD NOT be lowered!Alcohol problems are among the most common and costly health conditions affecting Americans: nearly 17 million adults have alcohol use disorders, either alcoholism or other, less severe, problems. (U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Office of Applied Studies. 2004. National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 2002. Research Triangle Park, NC: Research Triangle Institute. The cost of these problems to the nation’s economy is enormous: $185 billion yearly. (Harwood, HJ. 2000. Updating Estimates of the Economic Costs of Alcohol Abuse in the United States. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. $185,000,000,000 in alcohol related damages!!! It doesn't take a whole lot of sense folks to figure this out.

Don’t be the one drunk behind the wheel: call someone at least to pick you up.

It can happen to anyone!"Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise ... Bread of deceit is sweet to a man; but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel." -Proverb 20:1,17

Rest in piece Samantha and Raquel : Everyone loves and misses you to.

My sources that helped me where:GoogleMimi’s voice-Making a pact to be part of the solutionMimis-voice.comTracy Leal(mother of Samantha Renee Romero)Ect.

THANK YOU FOR LISTENING:

I hope my power point affected you in a way you’ll agree to NOT lower the legal drinking age of 21

to 18:It kills dreams.

By: Jamie Tucker