(Lincoln, NE)- As part of its commitment to prevent underage drinking, the Nebraska State Patrol has adopted the Target Responsibility for Alcohol Connected Emergencies (TRACE) protocol (Project TRACE).

TRACE is a protocol in which first responders to alcohol-related emergencies immediately notify investigators when an incident involves a person under 21 and alcoholic beverages. Alerting a TRACE investigator allows the initial responding officer to concentrate on working the incident, while the TRACE investigator focuses specifically on trying to determine the source of the alcohol, where it was purchased or who provided it.

The primary goal of the source investigation is to determine the identity of the seller, server or provider of the alcoholic beverage, to determine whether or not the provider was acting within the law and to ensure that the individuals or businesses who illegally provided or sold the alcohol to that minor are held accountable.

If the TRACE investigation determines that a licensed location sold or furnished alcoholic beverages to a minor, the Liquor Control Commission will be asked to initiate an administrative action to suspend, cancel or revoke the license of that business. Criminal charges will be pursued on individuals who are found to have provided alcohol to minors.

Initially developed by the California Alcoholic Beverage Commission, Project TRACE has proven successful in backtracking the source of alcohol in circumstances where underage persons obtained alcohol illegally.

The Sarpy County Sheriff’s Office was the first law enforcement agency in Nebraska to begin TRACE investigations. The Nebraska State Patrol has received grant funding from the Nebraska Department of Roads to expand the Project TRACE across the state.