Project Sticker Shock targets underage drinking in our communities

In December 2016, middle school Catalyst group students visited participating retailers accompanied by the Lake County Sheriff's Department, Lincolnshire Police Department, the Buffalo Grove Police Department in Stand Strong Coalition's "Sticker Shock" campaign.

Sticker Shock is a youth-led prevention program designed to support existing and encourages new community activism, cooperative efforts, and community capacity building to combat underage drinking and its related programs — specifically, adults providing alcohol to minors. Project Sticker Shock seeks to reach those persons 21 years of age or older who might illegally purchase alcohol and provide it to minors.

“They will place prevention stickers on multi-packs of beer, wine coolers, and other alcohol products that might appeal to underage drinkers,” a Stand Strong Coalition member said.

The stickers display a warning message about the penalties for purchasing or providing alcohol to minors.

“The project represents a partnership between youth, licensed establishments, concerned parents and community members, prevention professionals, and law enforcement with the goal of educating persons 21 and older of the underage law and raising public awareness about underage drinking,” Jamie Epstein, Stand Strong Coalition Executive Director said.