Project Sticker Shock
The Sticker Shock Campaign is designed to reach adults
who might purchase alcohol legally and provide it to minors. Stickers
warning about the penalties for furnishing alcohol to minors are placed
on all multi-packs of beer, wine coolers, and other alcohol products
that might appeal to underage drinkers. The impact of the stickers
is increased by media coverage of the event and by longer-lasting signs
to be displayed by participating retailers. The project represents
a partnership between youth, retailers, concerned parents and community
members, prevention professionals, and law enforcement with the goal
of educating potential furnishers, raising public awareness about underage
drinking, and strengthening the deterrent effect of the law against
providing alcohol to minors.
History
The first Sticker Shock campaign
was designed by a group of youth
in Pennsylvania in 1998, who started locally in their community and
then expanded the project statewide in subsequent years.
In February 2001, Sticker Shock first came to Maine when the
Fort Kent Area Community Voices group adapted the idea and
implemented it in their area. The dream of these Fort Kent area youth
was that the project would go statewide in Maine as well. Statewide distribution
of sticker shock supplies began in December, 2001 and were widely accessed
each December and May.
In 2005, Legislation was passed that
requires all retail liquor stores to post the Sticker Shock poster
in their establishment.
