BOISE — State and local law enforcement will be increasing patrols for underage drinkers in the coming weeks as high school graduations approach.
Several recent sting operations have also shown more retailers were selling alcohol to minors.
A coordinated campaign, "Project Safe Graduation," is being launched statewide to deter drunken driving by underage teens.
"This is the time of year we see the greatest number of alcohol-involved accidents, particularly among young people," Idaho State Police spokesman Rick Ohnsman said at a news conference Wednesday.
Lt. Bob Clements of the state Alcohol Beverage Control said officers who bust keg parties will track the keg to the purchasers.
If the buyer was an adult, the agency will press misdemeanor charges carrying a $300 fine and up to 6 months in jail. If it turns out a minor bought the keg, the retailer will face administrative sanctions, in- cluding fines and license suspension.
During recent sting operations in Boise, teenagers from 17 to 19 years old were able to purchase alcohol at stores, restaurants or bars 60 percent of the time, Clements said.
"We were rather dismayed with the findings that we saw," Ohnsman said.
During recent stings at Lewiston stores and bars, minors were successful in purchasing alcohol 29 percent of the time; in Twin Falls and Jerome, it happened 46 percent of the time.
"If we can get it down to 10 percent or less, then we'd be doing some good," Clements said.
Last year, nine teens between 16 and 20 years old died in alcohol-related traffic accidents, according to state police figures. Since 1993, the toll has been 106 deaths; although trends show a steady decline.
The campaign has the support of Mothers Against Drunk Drivers. "We need the parents to make sure their kids are not going to parties where alcohol is involved," said Molly Cox of MADD.