Underage drinking is a serious concern at the national and state levels. It can have serious consequences for health, safety and the economy. Therefore, the legal drinking age should remain at 21. Although most people consider alcohol to be a normal part of teenage life, they do not realize the harmful effects alcohol can have on society. What needs to be considered are the myths and realities of underage drinking. Serious health, safety and economic consequences of underage drinking nationwide can include harm to human brain development, financial costs on the order of $68 billion (or $1 for every drink consumed, including costs of medical bills, loss of income, and costs resulting from pain and suffering), fatal accidents involving adolescents. One similarity is highlighted by the $1.4 billion cost of underage drinking in Missouri in 2010 (“Underage Drinking in Missouri,” 2011). Additionally, youth violence, including traffic crashes and homicides, is linked to the highest costs to the state of Missouri. Sales (in 2010 dollars) of alcohol purchased by underage drinkers made up 18.6 percent of all alcohol sold in Missouri in 2009, totaling $439 million. From the perspective of keeping the drinking age at 21, an individual would see that underage drinking is not only expensive, but also deadly and dangerous for everyone. For example, a myth that young adolescents often believe is that alcohol is not as harmful as other alcohol. drugs. The sobering reality is that alcohol consumption increases the risk of many deadly diseases, such as cancer and alcohol poisoning (“Underage Drinking Myths vs. Facts,” 2012). Another myth widely believed by underage drinkers is that drinking is a good way to relax at parties. However, drinking is a stupid way to relax. It can cause a person to act foolishly and do and say things they would not normally do if they were sober (“Underage Drinking Myths vs. Facts,” 2012). A third myth that teenagers mistakenly believe is that drinking alcohol will make them look cool. From personal experience, I can say that drinking alcohol doesn't make you look cool, it just makes you look dumber. There is nothing good about tripping, fainting, throwing up on yourself, or having bad breath (“Underage Drinking Myths vs. Facts,” 2012). A fourth and final myth that teenagers foolishly believe is that everyone around them drinks and they need to drink to fit in. The fact of the matter is that if they really wanted to fit in, they would completely abstain from alcohol consumption. It has been shown in research studies that more than 70% of young people between the ages of 12 and 20 have not drunk alcohol in the past month (“Myths and Facts about Underage Drinking”).,” 2012).