LEGISLATION PROPOSAL

Legislation Proposal



Executive Summary

Minimum Legal Drinking Age has been increased to 21 years from 18 years in all states; requiring compliance to the MLDA Act 1984; however, people age between 11 to 20 years makes 11% share of the total alcohol consumption. In Illinois, 319 road accidents deaths out of 911 were related to drunk-driving deaths, representing 35% proportion in overall road accident deaths in people more than 21 years old.

Alcohol consumption is deemed acceptable with parents and in a social gathering even below 21 years. Senator Suzi Schmidt and Rep. Joann Osmond should take actions to amend the current Alcohol Laws of Illinois State during upcoming legislative sessions on Oct 25, 2011. BAC limit should be decreased to 0.06 percent for people below 25 years of age while driving. It must be made incumbent on every college to implement zero-tolerance policy for suppressing the alcoholic behavior in college premises. Penalties must be made tight for parents or guardians who permit people below the age of 25 to consume an alcoholic beverage that are prohibited by Illinois law. Minimum penalty for violation of alcohol law in Illinois State should be increased to $1000. Restriction should be imposed on the selling of Alcoholic drinks from all licensed retailer and distributor to any person after 12am irrespective of their age.

Table of Contents

Executive Summary2

Introduction4

Law Amendments4

Minimum Drinking Age Arguments5

Impact of Parenting on Alcoholic Behavior5

Recommendations6

Conclusion7

Legislation Proposal

Introduction

Drinking has been a serious issue in US. Great debates have been done on the drinking age limit. Changes have been made in recent years to regulate the adequate consumption and purchasing age. Critics have argued that the main purpose of this change is to maintain the civil order in society instead of managing the health of citizen. Contrastingly, increased drinking habit in adolescent age and individuals desires to start drinking at college life has lifted many social problems, negatively impacting the social and physical life of the American citizens.

Law Amendments

Minimum Legal Drinking Age has been increased to 21 years from 18 years in all states; requiring compliance to the MLDA Act 1984 (NIAAA, 2005). However, exceptions have been observed in few states regarding the acceptable drink consumption and purchasing state. Different researches notified the role of advertising and presence of alcoholic beverages on influencing the behavior of adolescents. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) identified the association of Binge Drinking with health risks. Investigations conducted at different times for examining the potential health risks associated with drinking showed detrimental impact on health conditions of drinker.

In spite of making the Drinking illegal for people below 21, it has been investigated that people age between 11 to 20 years makes 11% share of the total alcohol consumption (NIAAA, 2005). Major chunk in this segment is involved in binge drinking habit. Data revealed that more than 90,000 emergency visits were made for injuries and diseases linked to alcohol by people age between 18-21 years. In Illinois, 319 road accidents deaths out of 911 were related to drunk-driving deaths (USCB, ...