In an effort to control underage drinking, the DeKalb Liquor Commission proposed a plan that will put more liability on adults supplying a keg to underage minors.

The proposed plan would require DeKalb to put an identification label of sorts on the keg to easily identify who purchased it. For the person purchasing the keg, this simply means filling out some additional paperwork.

However, if the label is removed, the person whose name is on the keg is subject to a fine. Purchasing a keg outside the city and bringing it back into DeKalb would require a permit prior to the purchase and would cost a small fee.

“It’s still very much under discussion,” said Deputy Liquor Commissioner Cory Warren. “It is not going to become part of the ordinance any time soon.”

Many students believe the proposed keg registration will not hinder the underage drinking in DeKalb.

“I think the city is just trying to make money off the students,” said junior management major John Haseman. “It’s a college town; people are going to buy kegs no matter what.”

DeKalb County Partnership for a Safe, Active & Family Environment (DCP/SAFE) is in support of the keg registration idea.

“Reducing an underage drinker’s major access to low-price beer will reduce underage consumption,” DCP/SAFE said in a letter to the liquor commission.
Shannon Barrett, junior special learning behavior major, does not think that will stop underage drinking.

“It’s not going to stop them from buying alcohol,” Barrett said. “There’s other options than a keg.”

Julie Lundeen, owner of Lundeen’s Discount Liquor, realizes that keg identification is a trend in college towns and isn’t sure what DeKalb’s plan will bring.

“It will depend on the parameter of it,” Lundeen said. “I just don’t know where it is going to fall.”

A similar permit system in Champaign, Ill., has already been instated. The “Adult Responsibility Certification” permit states that the purchaser must be at least 21 and have no intention of distributing beer from their keg for money and no intention of serving beer to a minor.

Information such as name, how many kegs and the location of the party is required with the Champaign system. This information is passed on to the police department for “use in law enforcement activities.” Failure to comply with these stipulations results in a minimum fine of $280.

The liquor commission will meet again Oct. 16 to detail the plan further.

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