As students returned to area schools, colleges and universities across the country, in North Carolina, the state’s ABC Officers Association conducted a B21 campaign throughout August.

The NC ABC Officers Association is a nonprofit organization that supports ABC Officers statewide in enforcing alcohol and drug laws. During the B21 campaign, their goal was to partner with ABC boards across the state to promote responsible alcohol sales and prevent underage access.

Other WRAL Top Stories

Twelve counties across the state participated in the campaign, including three in the Triangle. During the campaign, officers conducted undercover compliance checks using supervised teens, aged 16 to 19.

The teens were instructed to present their actual driver’s license if asked.

During their investigation, they found repeated failures to check IDs or to read the ID correctly at multiple locations, despite clear protocols.

In total, 578 locations were checked in August, and 91 civil violations were referred to the NC ABC Commission.

Officials noted that criminal citations were also issued in each sale unless the salesclerk was a juvenile. Officials said in addition to the minor campaigns, officers also conducted special operations in August with a “zero-tolerance approach to underage consumption.”

In total, there were 370 alcohol related criminal charges for August, including underage possession, selling, and/or giving to a minor, and other illegal possession.

Other criminal charges for the month include:

  • 11 DWIs
    • 22 drug violations
      • 19 open containers
        • 49 fake IDs
          • 95 other misdemeanors
            • 657 total charges

              The participating counties and cities that participated include:

              • Cumberland County ABC Board
                • Dare County ABC Board
                  • Johnston County ABC Board
                    • Mecklenburg County ABC Board
                      • Monroe ABC Board/Monroe Police Department
                        • New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office/ Wrights Beach Police Department
                          • Orange County ABC/Chapel Hill Police Department
                            • Pitt County ABC Board
                              • Surf City Police Department
                                • Triad ABC Board
                                  • Wake County ABC Board
                                    • Wilson County ABC Board

                                      Officials also encouraged parents to speak with their children about the dangers of alcohol and drug misuse.