Alcohol     Alcohol, one of the oldest drugs of abuse, is a colorless liquid produced by fermenting cereals such as corn, rice, and barley. Alcohol, which produces a sedative effect, induces depression and is one of the oldest and most common drugs of abuse. Short-term effects of alcohol include anxiety, slowed heart and respiratory rates, blurred vision, and poor motor coordination. Long-term effects include cirrhosis, cancers, cardiac diseases, and any number of other irreversible neurological and psychological health conditions. Nationally, nearly 40% of admissions to mental hospitals and 50% of arrests are alcohol-related. The minimum drinking age is 21 years. However, it is estimated that nearly 65% of all alcohol outlets sell alcohol to minors. A Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) level of .08 or higher is considered to be intoxicated, and it is illegal to drive under these conditions.