Teenagers under the legal drinking age should not drink, nor should they lower it. Researchers say giving alcoholic beverages to those under 21 could be fatally addictive and would have no responsibility to drink. If teenagers drink a certain amount of alcohol, it could be fatal from alcohol poisoning. “Alcohol can enter the bloodstream; Heavy drinkers can ingest a lethal dose of alcohol before passing out. (“Excessive alcohol consumption can be fatal”). The legal minimum age should not be lowered, teenagers under 21 are not responsible for drunkenness, including car accidents, homicides, suicides and other injuries. I'll tell you why minors shouldn't drink, how alcoholic beverages affect teenagers, and why the legal minimum age shouldn't be lowered. People under the age of 21 should not drink alcohol, it is illegal and could pose a risk of becoming addicted and other types of consequences. For example, you could get in trouble with the law because for some people, drinking alcohol could result in being violent and aggressive towards other people. Additionally, if you have trouble paying attention in school, drinking alcohol can mutilate your brain function; this could be a long-term effect. You might mortify yourself by doing embarrassing things in public that you wouldn't do when you're sober. Plus, you might end up having unprotected sex with a random person without absolutely knowing or remembering who it was. Being careful, impregnation and perhaps an STD could be another risk factor. “Alcohol consumption significantly increases a teenager’s risk of being involved in a car accident, homicide or suicide.” (“Nemours Foundation”). There is also mental and physical health...... middle of paper......: Greenhaven, 2008. 20-27. Print. Contemporary problems. “Early consumption of alcohol puts young people at risk. » Should we lower the legal age for drinking alcohol? Ed. Stefan Kiesbye. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2008. At issue. Rep. taken from “Alcohol consumption among young people: risk factors and consequences. » Alcohol alert. Opposing viewpoints in context. Internet. March 13, 2014. Nemours Foundation. “What Teenagers Should Know Before Having a Drink.” Alcoholism among adolescents. Ed. Joseph C. Tardiff. Detroit: Greenhaven, 2008. 35-38. Print. Contemporary problems. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. “The minimum legal drinking age should not be lowered.” Adolescents at risk. Ed. Christine Watkins. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2009. Opposing Views. Rep. Excerpted from “Underage Drinking: Why Do Teens Drink, What Are the Risks, and How to Prevent Underage Drinking?” » 2006. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Internet. March 16. 2014.