The Minimum Drinking Age (MDA) is a law that sets the legal age at which individuals can purchase and consume alcoholic beverages. In the United States, the MDA is 21 years old, established by the National Minimum Drinking Age Act of 1984. This law was enacted to reduce alcohol-related accidents and promote public health among young people. Different countries have varying MDA laws. For example, many European nations allow drinking at 18, while some countries have no legal drinking age at all. The debate over the MDA often centers on issues of personal responsibility, health risks, and cultural attitudes toward alcohol consumption.