Underage Drinking Anyone under the age of eighteen is considered a minor, and the laws of many countries prohibit such a person from consuming alcohol. Alcohol is the most commonly abused drug not only among young people but also among adults. This paper explores underage drinking, its effects on society and outlines what can be done to curb it. Young people are considered the largest number of alcohol consumers and account for a large portion of alcohol sales. This is despite the strict alcohol consumption laws that govern many countries regarding the purchase and consumption of alcohol. Underage drinking, which is on the rise, is presumably the main cause of the alcohol-related problems facing modern society. The most serious effects of alcohol use in adolescents include drunk driving leading to accidents and even death, violence, poor academic performance, addiction, bad relationships, and damage to the adolescent's brain development, among others (Bonnie and O'Connell 58). Society is largely affected by these effects through deaths and lost productivity among young people. This has become a challenge for society and the government, which has been accused of doing nothing about this menace. Weak personal character, poor social status and an unfavorable cultural context are some of the main factors believed to underlie underage alcohol consumption. Bad character among adolescents is one of the main factors underlying underage drinking and is caused by young people's personal beliefs and attitudes. adults towards alcohol, defiance, poor commitment to personal goals and undue interpretation of freedom (Komro and Toomey 2). The lack of principles and autonomy, which help young people to say no to the illicit acts behind... middle of paper ...up to a personal decision whether to consume it or not as others will still do even if all these interventions were implemented. The above strategies therefore cannot guarantee the end of underage drinking, but they can ensure a significant and lasting reduction in adolescent alcohol use if implemented effectively. Works Cited Bonnie, Richard J., Mary Ellen O'Connell and National Research Council (USA). Reducing alcohol consumption among minors: a collective responsibility. Washington, DC: National Academic Press, 2004. Print. Ellul, Duncan Aaron Borg. Risk perception, awareness and prevention measures to reduce underage drinking and illegal alcohol purchasing in Malta. Boca Raton, Florida: Universal Publishers, 2005. Print.Komro, Kelli A., and Traci L. Toomey. "Strategies to prevent underage drinking". The news. January 19, 2011: 1-29. Press.