ST. JOSEPH COUNTY — Local police want to use text messaging technology to crack down on underage drinking. It's part of a program police used 11 years ago to drastically cut down on the number of parties in St. Joseph County.

"Everybody knows text messaging is the communication system nowadays," said St. Joseph County police Sgt. Regis Thimons.

That's why local police and the Drug Free Community Council want to use it to their advantage.

Beth Baker is the director of the council. She said individuals who make the decision to drink alcohol by age 15 are five times more likely to become alcohol dependent as adults.

The text messaging program would allow anyone to send text messages to police about local stores selling alcohol to kids who aren't 21, and parties where underage kids are drinking.

Students have mixed emotions about it.

"A lot of times kids feel like they don't want to be blamed by saying, 'I feel uncomfortable about this party,'" explained Penn High School student Keaton Bloom.

Police are targeting middle, high school and college age students. Many local school administrators support the project.

"It allows our kids another chance to say, 'I don't want to be at this party if it's going to be reported,'" said Mishawaka High School Vice Principal Jerome Caledrone.

One big question remains: Are students willing to do it?

Some said they would report underage drinking if they were not at the party where it was happening. Others said they would never 'rat out' their friends. Still some others said they have a little trouble being confident no one would know it was them.

Police say the tips will be anonymous.

"We plan initially no follow up calls to the text or texter," explained Sgt. Thimons. "Our information we receive will be only as a tip to make sure a party doesn't occur."

However, the phone number could show up on court documents if charges are filed.

Police plan to launch the new text message program before prom season begins. A $6,000 SUDS grant from the Drug Free Community Council is making it happen. SUDS stands for Stop Underage Drinking and Sales. That's something local police and community leaders say is a huge problem.