The "Drinking Age Debate" centers around the legal age at which individuals can purchase and consume alcoholic beverages. In the United States, the legal drinking age is set at 21 years, a law established by the National Minimum Drinking Age Act of 1984. Proponents argue that this age limit helps reduce alcohol-related accidents and health issues among young people. Opponents of the law argue that it infringes on personal freedoms and that individuals aged 18 and older should be allowed to make their own choices regarding alcohol. They often point to other countries with lower drinking ages, where responsible drinking is encouraged through education rather than prohibition.