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Proposed legislation to register beer kegs would be a good step toward reducing underage and binge drinking in Arizona. The idea is not foolproof, but it would make it harder for people who cannot legally drink to gain access to alcohol.

Rep. Marian McClure, R-Tucson, said she introduced HB 2219 at the request of law enforcement, MADD and other organizations striving to reduce underage drinking and drunken driving. A similar bill, SB 1266, is being sponsored in the Senate by Sen. Linda Gray, R-Phoenix.

"I readily admit that I don't think this will completely stop underage drinking," McClure said. "But if we can stop the problem to any degree, that would be helpful."

While it can be difficult for youths to openly buy liquor in stores, they can often find alcohol, and especially beer, at large parties where kegs are present. It's this kind of access to alcohol that keg registration hopes to address. By tagging a keg with a unique number, law enforcement can trace a keg at a party to the adult who purchased it, who could then be held responsible.

We believe keg registration is a worthwhile measure that could save lives.

According to the International Institute for Alcohol Awareness, underage drinking cost the United States $60.3 billion in 2005 for alcohol-related problems ranging from violence and traffic accidents to sex crimes and injuries.

In Arizona, 257,000 underage youths drink alcohol each year, Jan Blaser-Upchurch, chairwoman of the Pima County Task Force to Reduce Underage Drinking, told the Star in 2005. Also, surveys of Arizona students found that 80 percent of 12th-graders and 72 percent of 10th- graders reported drinking alcohol at some time, she said.

Meanwhile, as drunken-driving deaths decreased nationwide in 2005, Arizona actually saw a 13 percent increase that year, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The report did not include how many of those DUI fatalities involved drunken youths.

Ericka Espino, executive director of MADD in Arizona, said a keg-registration law should have some effect in making the state safer for everyone.

"If adults know they will be held responsible when they buy a keg of beer, maybe they'll stop and think before they do it," Espino said.

Keg-registration laws exist in 25 states, including California and New Mexico.

Opponents of the measure say that if keg registration becomes a reality, people who plan parties with underage drinkers will simply buy cases of beer instead. That's true, but those purchasers will be greatly inconvenienced. A full keg contains enough beer for 191 servings of 12 ounces each. That's equal to about 7 3/4 cases or almost 32 six-packs.

The Arizona Licensed Beverage Association, which represents alcohol retailers, opposes the proposed legislation. However, one Tucson store manager said she wouldn't mind if the bill becomes law.

"I think it's a good idea," said Tricia Wenzl, assistant manager of The Beverage House on North Oracle Road. "We're concerned about our community, and we don't want a reputation as a store that will sell alcohol to anyone just to make money."

Keg registration will not stop underage drinking, but it's a measure that could help reduce the problem. We encourage legislators to support the McClure and Gray bills.