Has anyone you know been harmed by underage drinking, either through overdosing or a serious car accident? The topic of lowering the drinking age to eighteen in the United States is a very debatable topic because many people have difficulty deciding which side to support. Many of the negative problems related to the low drinking age would have repercussions for the future, which is why the reform should not be implemented. The reasons include health problems, irresponsibility and deaths among young people. Although there are many pros and cons to lowering the drinking age in the United States to eighteen, it should not be lowered because the effects may be more harmful than anticipated. Because teenagers are so rebellious, lowering the legal drinking age won't help. they stop the thrill of drinking, but it gives them easier access to alcohol. For example, there are minors who have friends or siblings who are over the legal drinking age willing to purchase alcohol for them. This result is known as the “cascade effect”. This effect means that people of drinking age will find ways to offer alcohol to minors, even if it's just for a few friends or a large party. And when the drinking age gets lower, then younger people will also start to possess alcohol in some way, hence the “trickle down effect”. Additionally, minors will also possess a fake ID to obtain alcohol. The problem with this outcome is that adults don't give it a second look. The fake ID card may look very real and matches the teenager's description quite well, but if you look closely at your driver's license there are glittering images on it that could identify the reality of the card. Many of these acts of rebellion could be stopped if adults would look around. ...... middle of paper ....... Losing a loved one is absolutely heartbreaking. Maintaining the minimum drinking age is not set to allow those who are younger to rise up and fight it, but to prevent harm to our families. Works CitedEngs, Dr. Ruth. “Why the Drinking Age Should Be Lowered: A Research-Based Opinion.” www.indiana.edu. March 20, 1998.Web.Jordan. “The drinking age should not be lowered.” www.teenink.com. Teenink, web. March 9, 2014. “Should the drinking age be lowered from 21 to a younger age?” www.ProCon.org. ProCon, web. March 9, 2014. “The legal drinking age in the United States should be between 18 and 21.” www.debatewise.org. from the point of view of the debate, web. March 9, 2014.Tracy, Sam. “Is the national drinking age doing more harm than good?” www.huffingtonpost.com. Huffingtonpost, January 23, 2014. “45 States That Allow Underage Drinking (Under 21).” www.ProCon.org. ProCon, web. March 9th 2014.