Enforcing Underage Drinking Laws
State and local authorities bear the primary responsibility for enforcement of underage drinking laws.
- Visit the website of the National Liquor Law Enforcement Association to find links to state agencies that license and control alcohol sales.
- Visit the website of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention to find contact information for state coordinators of underage drinking law enforcement activities.
The website of the Underage Drinking Enforcement Training Center (UDETC), funded by the U.S. Department of Justice, provides important information to assist state and local authorities with the enforcement of underage drinking laws.
- UDETC recommends that states conduct compliance checks of alcohol retailers to reduce easy teen access to alcohol. A compliance check involves sending minors or young-looking adults into stores to purchase alcohol, under the direction of law enforcement. Visit UDETC’s website for information on how to conduct effective compliance checks.
- Despite prevention efforts, underage-drinking parties do occur. When they do, law enforcement agencies can use the controlled dispersal plan as a method for closing underage alcohol parties. Controlled dispersal is a systematic operational plan using the concepts of zero-tolerance and education to safely and efficiently close the underage-drinking party. Visit UDETC’s website for information on how to conduct controlled dispersal.
Don't serve alcohol to teens.
It's unsafe. It's illegal. It's irresponsible.