Post Lesson 6 Work

Discussion Board Replies

In terms of Sydnee's post on the drinking age, I have to say that reading and watching news stories about how teens or even very young adults behaved irresponsibly with alcohol and ended up paying a very steep price has made me think that the drinking age is too low and should be raised. We can't stop people from drinking, but perhaps we can teach them how to drink responsibly. The opposing perspective would more than likely attribute irresponsible alcohol use to the need for curious people to experiment with things that are new to them. Even experiments can get out of hand, however, if those running the experiment don't have an understanding of what they are working with and the impact each thing could have on both the experiment and those involved. People who behave irresponsibly because of alcohol don't truly have an understanding of the consequences for themselves or others around them. That is why there are programs like Students/Mothers Against Drunk Driving and D.A.R.E. out there; such programs are meant to educate people on the effects of anything they may indulge in, as any sort of indulgence can turn into a drug if it is used excessively or improperly. We don't have enough awareness about consequences of excessive or inappropriate use of substances in general out there and that needs to change.

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If only the guns were to blame for violence, life would be so much easier. Unfortunately, guns cannot fire themselves and are usually used as a means to an end or to instigate conflict. People instigate violence every day even though it solves nothing and only creates more pain and problems, but those against violence are choosing to blame the gun itself rather than the shooter. A shooter usually has a reason to use a gun and perhaps if society took the time to help each other with problems that lead to violence, shootings might not happen so often. It is tragic that people would rather respond apathetically to the problems of another instead of trying to help them and perhaps avoid violence that could come as a result of unaddressed issues. How many problematic situations could be avoided and how many lives could be saved if people simply took the time to help one another instead of choosing to be apathetic?