Role-Play Debate for course EngC 1015

I still believe that the drinking age should be lowered to 18. Just because there are health risks involved in it, what doesn't involve health risks? I could be walking on my way to class and get run over by a truck then die. Lowering the drinking age to 18 isn't that big of a deal and doesn't affect one's body that much. Smoking does worse to your body, yet 18-year-olds can buy cigarretes and smoke. Three years worth of drinking is a lot better than 3 years worth of smoking cigarretes. Besides, not everyone is a heavy smoker...it all depends on the person and their family history with certain diseases.

Dear Ms. Deale,
Very soon I'll be announcing my aggressive campaign against lowering the drinking age. I'm writing in the hopes that you could please provide me some information on teen and young adult drinking and the health effects. I'm particularly intersted in how alcohol comsumption effects the still-growing, still-maturing brain of young people. Also, I would appreciate any information and numbers regarding the kinds of alcohol related injuries such as drunk driving, date rape, and anything else you feel would be important information to have. Thank you very much. I know this is a lot of work, but there are strong feelings on both sides that require facts to counter their rhetoric.
-Senator Victor Eremita

Dear Dr. Deale,

I've always been extremely interested in my health and the fact that drinking can be very hazardous if not properly done. So, I was just wondering.....how much beer would you say can cause these health problems? And even if I were to drink this amount, what are my odds of getting these health risks.

I'm just curious, because I do drink, but I do it responsibly. And for that reason I do believe that the drinking age should be lowered to 18. If the U.S. can accept today's teenagers and entrust them with this responsibility of drinking then I feel that there will be less problems or incidents with teenagers and underaged drinkers. However, I also believe that it is a major responsibility of the health professionals to make the information about drinking, the effects it can have, and how to properly go about drinking more available to the public. I feel that once the public, especially the teenagers, understand the risks and how to go about drinking, then we will see a decline in accidents and various problems involving underage drinkers. And as a result congress will be able to truly believe in the youth and lower the drinking age to 18.

Thank you for your time,
Mike Vacanti
All-American Stud

Dear Dr. Deale,
I am so glad to see that you are promoting the drinking age to stay at 21 years of age. Throughout all of your studies, I was wondering what are some of the main reasons that alcohol is so bad for a student that is 18 compared to when they are 21. It's always nice to be able to have more reasons to provide to your son/daughter of why drinking at a younger age is harmful to them. I noticed you said that it can "inhibit brain development." Do you know what happens to a student (that is 18 years old) brain when they drink? Sorry for playing 21 questions but I would greatly appreciate some more information!
Thank you for your time!
Mrs. Brenner

I still won't change my stance because I believe in it strongly. There are so much out there that does so incredibly much more damage to one's bodies that alcohol probably isn't even on the list!

Dr. Deale,

I understand that the brain can be affected if people do consume alcohol. However, doesn't alcohol affect peoples brains no matter what the age? I mean, you can't tell me that it has no effect on adults. I'm sure it still has negative effects on adults, just as it does on teenagers and people in their early twenties.

So, if alcohol damages everyone's brain, then why does it matter at what age we drink. I mean, if teenagers drink responsibly AND occassionally how serious will the effects be compared to adults drinking?

I'm still going to fight for my beliefs that the drinking age should be lowered. Us teenagers deserve this responsibility. If we can vote for the next leader of our country and ALSO serve our country overseas, then why can't we drink. There are responsible teenagers out there. They just don't get the publicity that the irresponsible one's do.

Also, once everyone starts to drink the better tasting Beer-a-licious, they won't feel the need to get totally wasted so they don't have to taste the nasty taste of all of the other beers. This will help teenagers to become even MORE responsible, and we will be looked upon as a more mature generation.

Thank you for your time,
Mike Vacanti
All-American Stud

Dr. Deale,
I know that alcohol is harmful, there's no denying that. I'm just saying that although alcohol may be the most harmful for some guy's health who happens to be living in Ireland, it may not affect or harm a different girl's health that lives in the States. In other words, it just doesn't affect everyone the same way...sometimes it doesn't affect a person at all.