Just in time for after-prom parties and high school graduation bashes, Butler County has its new underage drinking hot line up and running.

By dialing 1-877-61NOT21 -- or 1-877-616-6821 -- a caller can anonymously leave a tip about someone providing alcohol to minors or about a party that is being held or will be held that will include underage drinking.

"All calls are anonymous and your help is greatly appreciated,'' the 24-hour phone line answers.

County Detective Scott Roskovski, who is leading a crackdown on adults who furnish alcohol to those younger than 21, said all tips will be investigated by police.

The cost of the program to the county will be 5 cents per minute per call to the Penn Telecom line.

Mr. Roskovski said children are being exposed to alcohol at younger ages and research shows that addiction is related to childhood exposure.

The state law regarding underage drinking has been on the books since 1988. Upon conviction, the misdemeanor criminal count calls for penalties of $1,000 for the first minor found drinking and $2,500 for every other underage drinker after the first.

The county has been operating for about 10 years a toll-free drug hotline for anonymous tips and it receives only a handful of calls each month. The number is 1-866-363-3784.

The detective said the county commissioners and district attorney's office wanted to get the project off the ground in time for party season.