The Voice 21 team go out and about to talk to the public and tackle issues that matter to them. The topics we cover are sometimes controversial, or maybe just fun and amusing. Whatever the subject, it is always interesting to hear the views of the young people in Sandwell.

The amount young people drink has become a national talking point. Alcohol epidemic is affecting young people like never before and the rising toll of deaths from liver disease is blamed on binge drinking. So we decided to ask the question…

Do you think the legal age for drinking alcohol should be raised to 21?

Luke Epstein (17) Oldbury: 
“I don’t think the legal age for drinking alcohol should be raised, because it wouldn’t prevent 18 – 20 year olds from drinking alcohol, which means more 18 – 20 year olds would be breaking the law.”

Leah Bargota (15) Tipton: 
“I think the legal age for drinking shouldn’t be raised because the legal age currently is 18 in the UK. There are already people under the age binge drinking and people who are over 18 will still want to drink, so it would raise the amount of underage drinkers we have in the UK. You would be making the problem even worse than it seems.”

Luke Ward (14) Wednesbury:
“I think it shouldn’t be raised to 21 because people would still drink. As long you are with your family it’s OK, but in clubs and bars they should go up, because there will be less crime around places.”

Thomas Hayes (15) Wednesbury:
“I think it should be raised because it would be a way for the government to get across the message that excessive drinking is really dangerous. It probably wouldn’t stop underage drinking but it would reduce it.”

Rebecca Whitehouse (15) Wednesbury:
“I don’t think it should because it’s a waste of time. Young people or generally people under 18 still drink alcohol, so what’s the point. It’s not going to change, it’s the way it always has been and always will be. There’s no way anyone could ever stop young people from drinking. Also, you can go clubbing at 18 and clubs would lose out because 18-21 year olds would want to drink when they go out. When you’re 18 you’re classed as an adult so you should be able to make your own decisions.”

Aaliyah Said (15) Ladywood:
“The age limit is 18 and should stay as that. 18 is when a child becomes an adult and they have responsibilities for themselves to undertake.”

Gerta Hasa (15) Edgbaston:
“No, I don’t really think it will make a difference. Young people will find a way to drink anyway, so there’s no point really.”

Simone Mendez  (14) Smethwick:
“Personally, I don’t think they should raise the age limit for drinking. Teenagers under 18 would most likely carry on binge drinking if they already do. If they have a way to get hold of alcohol now, then there is now doubt that they will get it even if the age limit is raised. Plus, it is taking away privileges from those who actually do drink responsibly.”

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