Lets take the argument to its logical conclusion. Introduce prohibition! That would reduce alcohol consumption by even more.

yes any ten year old can follow your logic, it's wrong. Education not prohibition is the key.
If the average 18 year cannot make responsible decision about alcohol then why would we allow them to vote, marry or join the armed forces?

The links between sport and alcohol are very insideous and damaging especially rugby league. Do you remember the ugly roadside billboard with the Mathew Johns persona "Ocker" holding up a stubbie of VB and exclaiming "have a VB with me". He had a carton under one arm and holding up a stubbie with the other. His eyes were like dinner plates and appeared to have already consumed the first carton.

All people, not just the young, have to start going back to the future and taking responsibility themselves. If they can’t do that, and they are affecting others, punish them.

Lowering the drinking age will just not happen: kids well below the current drinking age are drinking now. And, only the hopelessly naïve and out of touch would believe that politicians are going to lower the drinking age when 18 year olds have the vote.

So, some blab on about ‘education’. That won’t work, either. The know-alls never come up with a sensible, proven-to-work plan. Why? There isn’t one.

Which brings us back take-responsibility-for-your-own-actions.

The do-gooders come up with naïve suggestions; good parents do their best (but, if their education of their off springs kicks in only at when the drinking starts, it’s useless).

Anybody who has to continue drinking after midnight has a real problem, and the majority should not have to pay for their problem through whacky ‘education’ schemes, TV commercials, high prices for alcohol etc. There are laws against anti-social behaviour, irrespective of its cause. Demand that politicians see that these laws are enforced and DO NOT allow gutless magistrates to usurp the role of our ELECTED representatives

Following on Cobber's comments,

18 is the age of becoming legally an adult. One can run a business, sign contracts, and be considered legally completely responsible for one's actions. Legally one cannot be discriminated against.

To raise the drinking age would require that a group of people be no longer considered full adults. This could then apply to 18 year olds, aborigines etc.

Each generation does what the previous generations did, only in excess. In the 1950's beer drinking was common. By the 70's 80's spirits were getting more and more popular. By 2000 drugs of all sorts were in more and more demand. Trying to legislate against abuse seems next to useless. Dealing with the sale of booze does not remove the anger, the lust, the violence, the perversion and the total disregard for others. These things are encouraged by the total lack of discipline that children receive as well as the godless dogmas pushed on the kids in schools. A fatherless kid fueled by anger and bitterness won't be stopped by a 'restriction ' in grog sales.

The "youth" who have drinking problems usually start well before they turn 18.
Increasing the age limit won't make any difference.
They're already willing to break the law and all the current restrictions on the sale and promotion of alcohol haven't worked.

They're already willing to break the law
Shockadelic,
I think you'll find that it is more a case of the Law letting them do it. Much easier to fine the outlets or so the circus that calls itself a judicial system seems to think.
If we're so worried about all those alcohol & drug abuse crapheads why don't we do something about it like having a national Service ? Ah no, the poor youngsters wouldn't like it, let's punish the social drinkers who are behaving themselves instead but happen to be over 0.05 & perfectly in control of their senses. The only reason we have 0.05 is because most social drinkers wouldn't go past 0.06 & that would severely impact on lost revenue.

Individual. Ah 'the poor youngsters wouldnt like it'.
I have had a few unpleasant dealings with teenage girls, who are often worse than the boys of their age. I do not mention this much but put a 19 year old in hospital after she attacked me in a drunken rage. She had been drinking with friends and felt rejected when they dropped her home and was precluded from the group. Being 15kgs heavier that me she had me down and out for a while.
Said teen had a five year history of drunken rages, bashing strangers and a bit of a hero status. Was dealt with by the law with short term results. National Service or boot camp, something along these lines could nip these behaviors in the bud.
Often these kids have been over compensated for whatever reason. Have no respect for anything or anyone. Sometimes parents are to blame, their daily surroundings contribute,and sometimes kids go off the rails and leave good parents baffled as to why. Intervention has to be easier than the alternative.

Many young people believe in the erroneous assumption that one has to drink to excess, whether it be by binge drinking, or drinking over many hours , so as to enjoy oneself. This misconception is likely to be the result of inadequate upbringing or peer pressure, and consequently it takes time for those people to change their ways, if at all.

Therefore, Governments need to spend more on education to reduce the adoption of such misconceptions , rather than hoping to deter irresponsible drinking by legislating for harsher sentences for offenders.

If gun happy America is an example of restricting booze to 21years old or over, then I don't think we should bother.

LOL, a glass of cold water and a good lie down for Suseonline who is going off again.

On no account allow her anywhere near crackers or surgical spirits.

There are some good kids, some from broken families with a bit of a rugged upbringing. Some have had the responsibility of looking after their siblings and had to grow up quite quickly. Protecting the little ones of his/her family and others, from an environment they know is unhealthy.
As opposed to the rebellious teen, from differing family situations, who so quickly want to be an adult. Well in saying that I mean 'do adult things' without the responsibility. (drink and party to celebrate their youth??) Unfortunately some of these teens go to great lengths to deceive to get what they want. Playing one parent against the other, being destructive and abusive, more often than not getting their way.

'Staying at a girlfriends' resulting in teens being dragged in by the police. Drunk and disorderly out on the town.
Teenage birthday party. Parents dropping their kids off with a six pack, maybe a bottle if they were really lucky or else a cask of 'goon'.(the parents not stopping to check out the environment) Either
way the girls are going to dress up like Paris Hilton, get smashed and attempt to go out partying.
A trip up the beach with school-friends family, means the older brother and his mates. The girls sneak their Paris Hilton outfits, con money for 'food' for the trip, get smashed before dark........ now stuck up the beach, watching the others staggering around in a state, trying to remember what they did.
Hung over little brat cant find her school uniform in her pig-sty, 'didnt do any home work, 'there's nothing to eat in this house''I hate everyone'. This repeats every week til' friday comes around and its time again to get tarted up, beg borrow or steal some cash, maybe this time walk around with their casks of goon, and terrorize the neighborhood. Run from the cops, cheat a taxi driver, lose your mobile again. And on it goes.

Still going :)
Remember when having a bit of a nip for some 'dutch courage'? Years ago, my girlfriend and I would have a drink or two before we went out. Both being pretty shy and quiet, it gave us that little nudge out the door.
Teens and young adults these days, who do partake in pubbing and clubbing are so full of confidence and extroverted, they dont need any dutch courage. With alcohol, personalities become bigger, confidence greater any inhibitions gone. Throw in a lack of respect and a smart attitude, and a bit more alcohol and its a recipe for disaster.
A couple of years ago the RSL were televising a boxing match. Advertised for 11am the fight actually started at 7pm. Capacity crowd by 6pm, mostly young adults, guys and girls.
All the dutch courage consumed in the very long lead up to the event, became evident at the first sign of a hit on the screen. Guys ripping off their shirts, all puffed up and feeling big, laying into whoever. The girls went just as crazy. It was like a drunken frenzied all in brawl. Needless to say many injuries and arrests.
The clubs ploy to get the crowds in early must have made them a mint in alcohol sales, but I think the aftermath may have been a shot in the foot, and 'the responsible service of alcohol' was clearly forgotten.

Suseonline,
Give me an Amercan with a gun any day in favour of of a drunk australian teenager.

Those recommending that the louts that drink to excess be "educated" about the errors of their ways, assumes the trouble makers have both the willingness to learn and the capacity to understand what they are told.

I wonder?

For instance, just how do you bring to their attention that alcohol is a major risk factor for cancer?

The people who regularly get blind drunk rarely know how bad they look or behave.

The best advertising should contrast what they "think" happened (I'm so cool) with what really happened (Yuck!).
Split screen maybe.

Alcohol fuelled violence is a psychological problem. The problem was created when males had there social training taken away from them. Males in nature (we are a part of the nature of this planet) are solitary. They are social, but only out of necessity. Nothing like how social woman are. Walk down any street and watch who it is walking around with there faces stuck in a mobile phone, to a point of pure lunacy. With the advent of single parent families, male children are no longer taught how to control testosterone. Ordinarily this is taught by the male. Dad may say "give me a look at those muscles, geez there getting big. You must by strong?" Then some sort of play fight will erupt with Dad making out he got hurt. Through this interaction the male child learns that yes, he is strong and that strength can do serious consequences. This is but a small example of the usual interactions between fathers and sons. This type of play is a small part of a bigger picture called social conscience (in law it would be a tort). As the male child becomes an adult if there is an area of social conscience that is lacking, the male we go to an older male for guidance. Not there peers as this could be seen as weakness. In days gone by, this would have been done at the "club". A male only club, which does not exist today, where males didn't have to compete for females and could let there guard down. Women have there networks where they can ask Mum, trusted friends etc. In a single parent family a girl can ask Mum about "girl stuff" but who does the boy ask about "boy stuff"? A female can not fully understand the male thinking as a male can not fully understand a females thinking. Our brains, thankfully, are wired completely differently, it's nature, a matter of perspective. This is an area where we, as a society, have very little knowledge (that the sexes will agree on).