Beer Keg Tracking

Keg tracking is used to identify and penalize youth and adults
who purchase beer kegs and allow underage youth to consume
alcohol from these kegs.Tagging kegs by using metal or plastic
tags, invisible ink or engraving requires that retailers record the
keg identification number, the purchaser's name, address, telephone
number and driver's license number. Retailers would be required
to keep these records for a specified length of time, usually six
months to a year. When police confiscate a keg at a party in which
underage youth have either purchased or consumed alcohol, the
purchaser of the keg could be identified and prosecuted. The
deposit that is required when a keg is purchased would be
forfeited if a keg were returned with a defaced or missing tag.

Why it is important:
Beer kegs are often a major source of alcohol at parties where
underage drinking is likely to occur. Also, kegs may encourage
and facilitate even greater amounts of alcohol consumption,
increasing the risk of drinking and driving and other alcohol
related problems.

How it can help:
Keg tracking is most effective when implemented with other
strategies such as warning posters and other educational material,
compliance checks and increased penalties for the adult providers
and follow-up by the court system.

How effective is it:
Although there is no research that specifically assesses the
impact of this intervention, reports from local law enforcement
agencies suggest that it substantially reduces young people's use
of kegs. At least ten states (California, Connecticut, Idaho,
Maryland, Nebraska,Ohio, Oregon, South Dakota, Vermont, and
Washington) and numerous local jurisdictions including the District
of Columbia now have keg tracking. Keg Tracking is very important
in reducing underage drinking. Only with grassroots support from
people like you can we make Keg Tracking a reality. Here is a list
of things that you can do to help make Keg Tracking a reality.

Write and/or Call your Legislator:
This is a very effective way to make your opinion known.
State representatives and senators are always eager to hear
from theirconstituents. Write them a letter or drop them a call
and let them about the Keg Tracking issue. To find out who your
state representative and senator is click on this website:
www.state.in.us/legislative

Write letters to your newspaper editors:
Writing letters to the editor of your local newspaper is another
effective way to educate legislators and the general public about
Keg Tracking. State representatives and senators read letters to
the editor from newspapers in their districts. It is an excellent way
for them to connect with their constituents on policy issues important
to the people they represent. For more information on letters to the
editor please contact our office at 1.317.873.3900 or by e-mail
at icrud@indy.net.

Host a community forum:
Another effective way to educate people about the importance of
the Keg Tracking issue is to hold a local community forum where
you can start a dialogue about underage drinking. Community
forums are another tool used to educate state legislators about
different issues. If you are interested in hosting a community
forum in your community please contact our office at
1.317.873.3900 or by e-mail at icrud@indy.net. The Coalition
would be more than happy to work with you to produce good
community forum.

Bring a training to your area:
Trainings are another great way to motivate people to become
advocates for change in their communities. The Orange Ribbon
Campaign offers different trainings that can be used to mold people
into advocates for change. For more information about the different
trainings the campaign is promoting please contact our office at
1.317.873.3900 or by e-mail at icrud@indy.net.

Talk to local retailers about Keg Tracking:
Talk with your local alcohol retailers and find out where they stand
on Keg Tracking. Some retailers may not know about the benefits
of Keg Tracking and this is a great opportunity for you to educate
them about the issue.