(Bennet 331) This led states, beginning with Minnesota in 1976, to start raising legal drinking ages. From 1976 to 1984, 27 other states increased their legal drinking ages. The Federal government became involved during the Reagan Administration, which prompted Congress to pass the Federal Uniform Drinking Age Act of 1984. (331) This act forced every state to raise its minimum legal drinking age for all alcoholic beverages to 21 years. After an unsuccessful challenge to the constitutionality of the law, all states raised their drinking age to 21 by 1987.

             Supporters of the policy believe it has produced results. It is pointed out that in the past two decades have wielded significant progress in reducing the use and abuse of alcoholic beverages, particularly among youths and young adults. For example, heavy drinking occasions among high school seniors fell by 14% between 1981 and 1993, while binge drinking among 19 to 22 year olds not in college fell by 9%. (Chaloupka and Wechsler 112) Policy makers have targeted youths and young adults because of their relatively high levels of alcohol abuse. For example, motor vehicle accident fatalities are the leading cause of death among persons under 35 years of age, and alcohol is involved in over half of these deaths. (112) Targeting policies at youths and young adults is felt important, since reducing excessive drinking in this population could be the most effective means to achieve long-run reductions in alcohol abuse and its consequences.

             A common problem with the current policy is that teens today resort to illegal methods, including the use of illegal IDs, in order to get alcohol. "At least 75% of all college students own a fake ID, and at the bars, they hardly check them," Camel Jones, a 19-year old student at Champlain College says. ("Underage Age", 230) A suggested solution to this problem proposed is to "make access to alcohol legal at 18 and also come down much harder on alcohol abusers and drunk drivers of all ages.