The California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) announced this week that it has been awarded a $3.7 million grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) to help curb underage drinking and educate licensees about alcoholic beverage laws.

Grant funding will also support 26 local law enforcement agencies with up to $40,000 each for alcoholic beverage compliance check operations for licensees and delivery services to make sure only people of legal drinking age purchase alcohol, as well as enforcement throughout the state during holiday periods where people are more likely to be drinking alcohol.

“ABC is grateful for the partnership and support from OTS and NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration),” said ABC Director Joseph McCullough. “The resources provided to us through this grant will help reduce youth access to alcohol and increase safety in communities throughout California.”

The grant will run through the end of September 2024. ABC programs funded through the grant include Minor Decoy and Shoulder Tap operations, fake identification enforcement, compliance checks involving alcohol delivery services, designated special events where alcohol is served, underage retail theft, Informed Merchants Preventing Alcohol-Related Crime Tendency (IMPACT) inspections, Licensee Education on Alcohol and Drug (LEAD) trainings and Target Responsibility for Alcohol-Connected Emergencies (TRACE) investigations.

To learn more about ABC programs that help protect communities, prevent alcohol-related harm, and save lives, visit ABC’s website.

The Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) is an agency of the government of the state of California charged with the regulation of alcoholic beverages. ABC’s mission is to provide the highest level of service and public safety to the people of California through licensing, education, and enforcement. ABC is a department of the Business, Consumer Services, and Housing Agency.