Programs

The ABC Enforcement Division utilizes many different programs as they combat underage drinking and enforce the laws of Kentucky regarding alcohol sales. 

Below are two programs that have proven successful in enforcing and raising the rate of compliance.

This highly successful program enjoys the full support of convenience stores and package store owners who check IDs to prevent the sale of alcoholic beverages to minors. The owners notify the ABC when minors try to buy alcohol from them. Undercover ABC investigators enter the stores and pose as employees or customers. All minors who attempt to purchase alcoholic beverages are cited to district or juvenile court. Any adults who attempt to buy alcohol for minors are arrested or cited to criminal court.

All enforcement efforts in this program are directed toward the owners and employees of businesses licensed to sell alcoholic beverages in the commonwealth that may be carelessly or intentionally selling alcohol to minors. Volunteer investigative aides 18 and 19 years of age assist undercover ABC investigators in apprehending these violators by attempting to purchase alcoholic beverages.

The Investigative Aide Program, known as the IA Program, is one way the ABC is combating the sale of tobacco and alcoholic beverages to underage youth. This program is not used to deceive store or restaurant owners and their employees. We use young people throughout Kentucky to assist our ABC investigators in compliance checks. All applicants must look within the age range of the program in which they are working.

This program is not to be considered a part-time nor a full-time job. Under state classification, the IA position would be considered seasonal work. Each IA is allowed to earn up to a maximum of $500 per calendar year. This is an ongoing program that is conducted statewide.

Compliance checks are conducted monthly without a set schedule. Individuals may work with certain investigators one month, but due to scheduling conflicts may not work with the same investigators again for several months. ABC investigators are flexible in working with after-school jobs and after-school activities.

• Tobacco IAs earn $10 an hour.
• Alcohol IAs earn $10 an hour as well as reimbursement for mileage. 

All applications must include the following information:

• The applicant's signature.
• A parent or guardian's signature (if applicants are under 18 years of age).
• A copy of your birth certificate.
• A recent good-quality photograph of yourself. Digital photos are acceptable.

Investigative aide program requirements:

• Tobacco IAs must be 15 to 17 years of age.
• Alcohol IAs must be 18 to 20 years of age.
• A background check will be conducted on all alcohol IA applicants.
• All IA applicants must look within the age range of the program in which they are working.
• The dress code is very simple; dress like a typical teenager. Do not dress up. We recommend t-shirts, (shirts with your high school name or class t-shirt), jeans, shorts, sweatshirts or sweaters.
  Those that prefer to wear makeup should choose a toned-down look. We do not want an IA to look older then their actual age.