France Stops Selling Alcohol to Youth

Megan Barber
245 Memorial Drive
Suite 6091
Cullowhee, NC 28723
(704) 564-9513
MMBarber1@catamount.wcu.edu

March 11, 2009

Elaine Ganley
“The Charlotte Observer”
600 S. Tryon St.
Charlotte, NC 28202

Dear Editor Ganley,

In regard to your article by the Associated Press entitled “France Puts a Cork in Alcohol Sales to Youth,” I have to say that I am surprised that a country like yours is deciding to set a drinking age. France has been known as a country that can handle its alcohol even without a drinking age limit. Now to see that France is having problems and has to set the drinking age to 18 establishes the fact that America must keep its drinking age to 21. America has been fighting the decision whether to change its drinking age to 18 as well. Many statistics and stories of lives that have been shattered because drunk driving are overwhelming.

I think seeing the response that France has made to drinking by having to put a limit on drinking proves that American should keep the age to 21. The 1981 article entitled CQ Researcher “Teen age Drinking” states that “40,000 young people are injured, maimed, or killed each year due to drunken driving accidents”(Rosenblatt). Over the years, the number has increased; however, it proves that many people are affected by drunk drivers. Innocent people’s lives can be changed due to alcohol.

The responsible drinkers that participate in moderation and do not drive under the influence should be able to buy alcohol at 18. Statistics would say that the number of irresponsible drinkers compared to the responsible drinkers is out numbered. The problem today is not the alcohol, it is the person who consumes it and the decision they make.

Sincerely,

Megan Barber