As you celebrate summer ☀️, make sure to have a conversation with your teen about the dangers of underage drinking.
Kids are curious about alcohol, it’s important to talk to your child early and often about the risks and impacts of drinking. 60% of Idaho teens reported having a conversation with their parents about alcohol in the past year.
This summer, as you gather with your friends, family, and loved ones, take steps to get there responsibly.
There is nothing better than having friends and family over to celebrate a holiday, watch sports, or simply to catch up. But as a host, you need to make sure that you are ready to welcome guests to your space in a responsible way.
At the Idaho State Liquor Division (ISLD), we recognize the important responsibility we carry in safeguarding Idahoans. Through responsible distribution, education, and enforcement, we work every day to ensure that beverage alcohol is sold with care and oversight to prevent underage access, reduce the harms of overconsumption, and enhance the overall safety of our communities.
A cornerstone of our internal compliance efforts is the BARS Program that uses trained shoppers who visit state liquor stores across Idaho monthly. The program helps reinforce proper ID protocol. ISLD policy is clear: employees must request valid identification from anyone appearing under 35 years of age before accepting payment for an alcoholic product. To us, this is more than a policy—it’s a commitment to the communities we serve.
Through May 2025, over 125 internal compliance checks have been conducted across our locations. The “tests” keep our clerks on their toes and continuously offer valuable insights and help guide ongoing efforts and support from our committed retail teams. The most common area of improvement—asking for payment before checking ID—is being addressed through renewed training, coaching, and communication.
To further support this, we are ensuring our employees are well equipped with the tools and knowledge to prevent underage sales and over-serving through the TIPS® Server Training Program. Additionally, store associates utilize tools including electronic ID scanners, official identification checking guides, and jeweler’s loupes. All of which are critical for verifying ID authenticity through microprint, photo integration, and other security features.
The ISLD also supports broader community efforts aimed at reducing underage drinking and alcohol misuse beyond keeping a close watch on our retail operations. We use our annual $60,000 grant from the National Alcohol Beverage Control Association (NABCA), to administers an Educational Mini Grant Program to support and educate schools, nonprofits, law enforcement, and community organizations in their alcohol education and prevention efforts. These mini grants fund innovative, local programs that make a real impact in Idaho communities.
ISLD partners with these groups across the state to help curb underage alcohol consumption and overindulgence:
By supporting these efforts and strengthening our internal practices, we are focused on doing the right thing to help build a safer and healthier Idaho. Together, with vigilance, training, education and community engagement, ISLD is making a difference—one ID check, one conversation, and one initiative at a time.
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