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
Arrest	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

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

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