John Pinelli Jr. of Princeton
About the letter “Lower drinking age to 18,” (The Packet, Feb. 27), lowering the drinking age to 18 would be a big mistake. At that age the human brain is not fully developed and drinking and/or smoking could be harmful.
I also think 18 is too young to be in the Armed Forces for the same reason. The human mind isn’t fully developed until the age of 22.
I saw a disturbing sight a few months ago as I was driving past Princeton High School. I saw five or six young men — they couldn’t have been more than 16- or 17-years-old — smoking cigarettes. Smoking, drinking and taking drugs at that age could develop into a lifelong bad habit, for all three are very addictive.
Kids are very impressionable; they mimic what they see in their environment. If their parents or friends drink, smoke or take drugs, there’s a good chance they will try it also. Kids at a young age should be counseled by their parents and by the school system about the dangers of these bad habits.
It’s not a new thing, it’s been going on since I was a kid, and that was 50 years ago.
I find standing next to a smoker is very offensive.
If society cares about these kids they shouldn’t be allowed to abuse themselves with these bad habits of smoking and drinking until they are fully matured and should never take drugs because drugs are a mind and family destroyer.
John Pinelli Jr.
Princeton

