Underage Drinking
Underage drinking has numerous negative effects and consequences associated with it. Consuming alcohol underage not only damages the brain from fully developing, but it is also against the law and is the main contributing factor in vehicle collisions for persons between the ages of 16-20.
To deter underage drinking, the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control has implemented two programs to combat this from occurring. The Minor Decoy and Shoulder-Tap program have steadily decreased the accessibility of minors to obtain alcohol from both licensed premises and the general public.
As depicted in the statistics below from 2013 to 2018, the number of arrests and violation rates have continuously dropped each year due to these programs.
Arrest Statistics & Violation Rate
| Minor Decoy | 2013/14 | 2014/15 | 2015/16 | 2016/17 | 2017/18 | 2018/19 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Premises Visited | 7,747 | 7,334 | 5,672 | 6,124 | 5,443 | 6,250 |
| Arrests | 1,234 | 1,112 | 1,017 | 758 | 739 | 768 |
| Violation Rate | 16% | 15% | 18% | 12% | 14% | 12% |
| Shoulder Tap | 2013/14 | 2014/15 | 2015/16 | 2016/17 | 2017/18 | 2018/19 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arrests | 1,235 | 1,118 | 1,010 | 846 | 737 | 1,045 |
| Violation Rate | 13% | 9% | 7% | 8% | 9% | 12% |
* Results from OTS funded Shoulder Tap Operations
Grant Resources
The Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, sponsored by the Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety, has awarded grants for the 2024/25 fiscal year to local law enforcement agencies to utilize the Minor Decoy Program, Shoulder Tap Program, IMPACT Program, and Holiday Enforcement. These grants have enabled the selected agencies to expand their present efforts in addressing alcohol-related harm through a comprehensive ABC program that will encompass a wide range of strategies. The current grant cycle concludes at the end of September 2025 and a new grant cycle will begin in October 2025.
For more information please review:
Contact
Additional information may be obtained by contacting:
Alcoholic Beverage Control
3927 Lennane Drive, Suite 100
Sacramento, CA 95834
Email us at headquarters@abc.ca.gov
Call (916) 419-2500
TRACE
Law Enforcement Reporting
LEAD
Off-Sale Licensee Training
Google Translate