Minimum legal drinking age effective in preventing problems associated with underage drinking

“The National Uniform Drinking Act Age 21 has been a balanced, effective, and popular tool in helping to combat the many problems associated with underage drinking—for students or nonstudents alike” is the conclusion of a commentary in the July 2012 issue of the journal  Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research.   “Research shows when the drinking age is 21, those younger than 21 drink less and continue to drink less through their early 20s.”  The authors also note substantial, well-documented declines in alcohol-involved youth highway fatalities, homicides, suicides, and unintentional injuries associated with the age 21 Minimum Legal Drinking Age Laws (MLDA).