Local Youth Kick off Public Awareness Project
“Project Sticker Shock” Targets Adults who Provide Alcohol to Youth
Farmington-
Four youth groups within Greater Franklin County kicked off “Project Sticker Shock” a youth-led initiative to change adult attitudes about selling and providing alcohol to minors. The project is sponsored by the Maine Office of Substance Abuse to bring attention to the issue of underage drinking and the adults who provide alcohol to minors.
Local youth from Franklin County are part of a movement of youth statewide working with participating stores to spread “Sticker Shock” waves in an effort to reach adults who might be tempted to buy alcohol for youth under the age of 21. The florescent orange-and-black stickers stand out on the beer cases for all to see, and provide a strong reminder: “Providing Alcohol to Minors is Illegal! Fines are up to $2,000 &/ or up to one year in jail!”
The following local stores participated in the project: Cumberland Farms in Livermore Falls ; My Dad’s Place in Jay; Riverside Kwik Stop in Jay; Tranten’s in Kingfield; Bear Pond Variety in Turner; and Long Green Variety in Livermore Falls .
“We think that it is good to bring awareness to the fact that providing alcohol to a minor is illegal,” said Lynn Brennick, owner of My Dad’s Place in Jay. When adults supply alcohol to youth it sends a very mixed message. Underage drinking is not just a teen problem but a community problem as well. Adults, youth, law enforcement, and retail stores all need to be part of the solution.
The Sticker Shock Project was first introduced in Maine in February 2001 by youth in the Fort Kent area who designed the stickers and posters that are now being used in this statewide project.
Healthy Community Coalition of Greater Franklin County knows that underage drinking is a problem locally and advocates for responsible sales of alcohol within stores in Greater Franklin County. To do this HCC wanted to showcase the businesses involved as a partner in this effort. HCC employees and store employees helped kick off the event by holding cases of beer or wine, so that the youth groups involved could apply the stickers.
“A strong community message is sent when a business like Cumberland Farms of Livermore Falls takes responsibility for speaking out against underage drinking,” said Christine Bruen, HCC program associate.
Youth leaders and other local participating retail stores are working together to create a safer, healthier lifestyle by combating the problem of underage drinking. Alcohol has been identified as the number one drug of choice among Maine youth, and according to local youth, one of the easiest substances to obtain. The Sticker Shock project hopes to cause adults to think twice before making it easier for youth to access alcohol.
HCC wishes to thank all the stores that participated in Project Sticker Shock 2013! Your participation has made a difference in your community.
For more information about Project Sticker Shock, or if you would like to participate in this program, please contact: Christine Bruen at 779-2927 or by email at cbruen@fchn.org