I believe that the legal drinking age should be lowered. Some people will argue that people under the age of 19 are not mentally capable or mature enough to make the decision to drink because of it having such large risk factors and it being a “big decision.”
But we, as residents of Prince Edward Island, are already legally able to make what could be big decisions long before the age of 19; such as being able to drive at the age of 16 - which has the potential to put our and others’ lives in danger.
If we can make big decisions like buying a house at 18, why can't we choose to put any substance into our bodies until 19? This is far from right.
It was suggested by the director of National Drug Research Institute that if the legal drinking age were lower, it would make more young people vulnerable to risks such as traffic accidents, physical fights, and even suicide.
But if we take into account our situation here in P.E.I. where the legal age is 19, and we want it to be a maximum age of 18, well there is very little developmental change in the minds of 18 and 19 year olds.
Therefore, by the legal age being lowered by a year, it really isn't putting our mentality at a great risk, while still respecting the essential rights of a legal adult.
Heather Gauthier,
English 621 Class,
Souris Regional
