This document discusses debates around increasing the legal drinking age. It presents arguments on both sides of the issue. Those against an increase cite rights of legal adults and potential increased illicit drug use. Supporters argue public health concerns and research showing reduced accidents and problems when the age is higher. The document provides guidance for students to prepare arguments on either side, considering different stakeholder perspectives and structuring rebuttals. Examples of where to find information on the topic are also given.

1. Increase or decrease the legal
drinking age?
What do you think?
The drinking age has been the topic of frequent public talk since it was
Lowered to 18 in all states and territories in the 1970s. Opponents to raising
the drinking age point to the fact that an 18-year-old person is legally an adult
and therefore capable of making and taking responsibility for their own
decisions.
Meanwhile, those in favour of raising the minimum age cite public health
concerns and a wide body of research suggesting that traffic accidents and
other alcohol-related societal problems decrease when the drinking age is
higher.

2. Debate
Students examine different points of view related to alcohol in
regard to increasing the legal age to buy alcohol from 18 to 21
Questions:
What do you think:
Rights as an adult: Raising the legal purchasing age undermines the freedom of
people ordinarily regarded as adults (age 18)
Drug use: Could it increase illicit drug use among young people due to drug substitution
Government: Would government even pass such a policy? At 18 people can vote, removing
the freedom to purchase alcohol would alienate youth voters
Police: Would the policy be relevant? Do targeted strategies now reduce alcohol-related
road trauma among probationary drivers (age 18)?
Revenue: Bar owners rely on this age group as they are the ones who frequent bars most
often
Expensive: Price of a night out drinking is expensive
Neuroscience: What does the science say about developing brains at this age
Students will look at this topic from the point of view of:
• The police
• A parent
• An 18-year-old
• Publican of a Bar
• Medical professional

3. Things to consider when gathering your information:
Prepare to win
• Research the topic and prepare logical arguments (use reliable resources)
• Gather supporting evidence and examples for position taken.
• Use statistics to back up your viewpoint
• Look to other countries, what is their legal drinking age, are there any differences to
the research you have found for Australia
• Anticipate counter arguments and prepare rebuttals.
Structure your argument
For example:
Assertion: Guns should be illegal.
Reasoning: If guns are legal, criminals will be able to use them to kill people.
Illustration: A recent shooting in the US - A man was killed and two adults and a sixteen-
year-old were injured after a man entered a home and opened fire. Police believe the
shooting was drug related (Oct, 2020)
Who does what on the team
Decide who is going to speak for you or are there a number of speakers? If so, decide the
order
Time management
Fit your argument into the allotted time limit
Confidence
Act like you’re winning, even when you aren’t – the confidence with which you deliver your
team’s argument can be enough to convince the judge even if your points are actually
weaker.
Structure of the Debate
• 15 minutes to prepare argument
• Up to 2 minutes to present argument each (take notes while other team is
presenting)
• Against increasing the age limit go first
• For Increasing the age limit go next
• 5 minutes to prepare a rebuttal (choose one group only to respond to)
• Rebuttal is to be 30 seconds only and the team the rebuttal is directed to has 1
chance to respond

4. Roles
• Group Leader
• Speaker (can be 2 speakers)
• Researcher
• Scribe
The Judge will be looking for
• Exciting, Easy to hear
• Relevant, factual
• Shared work
• Convincing argument
The team displaying these elements will win the Mystery Prize!!!
Examples where to find information
https://www.police.qld.gov.au/initiatives/road-safety/drink-driving
https://theconversation.com/strong-evidence-for-raising-drinking-age-but-little-support-
14556
https://www.thecabinsydney.com.au/blog/alcohol-addiction-treatment/australias-legal-
drinking-age-18-or-21/
https://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/fact-sheets/minimum-legal-drinking-age.htm