In the early 1970's, a large number of States, responding to the view that it was unfair to let young people serve and die in Vietnam and not let them drink, lowered their minimum drinking age to 18 or 19. Unfortunately, this resulted in increased traffic fatalities in the 18 to 20-year-old age group. To deal with this problem, the States (with Federal prodding) again raised their minimum drinking age to 21, with a resultant decrease in highway fatalities and injuries to 18-, 19-, and 20-year-olds. Because alcohol consumption can contribute to threats to mental and physical health, can precipitate aggressive behavior, and is associated with impaired driving and injuries and deaths, the minimum age of 21 is preferable to lower drinking ages. The harms of alcohol consumption at the earlier ages outweigh the benefits of lawful use. 107 footnotes.