To Lawmakers, Public Health Officials, and Policy Makers. 

Subject: Save Young Lives-Raise the Legal Drinking Age to 25. 

We, the undersigned, call upon lawmakers to raise the legal drinking age to 25 to protect the lives, health, and futures of young adults. The science is clear about alcohol affects brain development, impairs decision-making, and contributes to skyrocketing mental health crises and tragic accidents. By raising the drinking age, we can prevent thousands of deaths, reduce alcohol dependency, and create a safer future for our youth.

Why This Change Is Urgent

1. Young Adult Brains Are Not Fully Developed Until Age 25

👉🏻Neuroscience research from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) and Harvard Medical School confirms that the prefrontal cortex,the part of the brain responsible for judgment, impulse control, and rational decision-making does not fully mature until around age 25.

👉🏻Alcohol consumption during brain development increases the risk of addiction by 50% and permanently damages areas responsible for memory, focus, and emotional regulation.

👉🏻Young drinkers are twice as likely to engage in risky behaviors, including unsafe sex, violent altercations, and substance abuse, leading to lifelong consequences and regret.

2. Alcohol-Related Deaths Among Young Adults Are Skyrocketing

👉🏻According to the CDC, alcohol-related deaths among 18-24-year-olds have risen by nearly 30% in the last decade.

👉🏻The NHTSA reports that 1 in 4 car crash deaths among young adults involves alcohol, making it the leading cause of preventable fatalities in this age group.

👉🏻Data from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) shows that alcohol poisoning deaths in young adults have surged, with many victims being first-time drinkers unaware of the dangers of binge drinking.

3. Countries with Higher Drinking Ages See Fewer Alcohol-Related Fatalities

👉🏻 Iceland, Sweden, and Japan, where the drinking age is 20 or higher, have significantly lower rates of alcohol-related accidents compared to countries with lower drinking ages.

👉🏻The U.S. saw a 16% decrease in alcohol-related traffic fatalities after raising the drinking age from 18 to 21. Raising it to 25 could prevent thousands more deaths.

What We Demand

👉🏻We urge lawmakers to take bold action to protect young adults by raising the legal drinking age to 25 nationwide. We owe it to our future generations to create a society that values their safety, health, and potential. One preventable death is too many. Let’s act before more lives are lost.