Students ‘shock’ stores with stickers about underage drinking

Photo provided by GCASA

KENDALL – Kendall students and school counselor Mirjam Bauer are pictured last Thursday inside the Crosby’s store in Kendall. Students placed stickers on alcohol at the store.

Medina students are scheduled to do the same with Medina area stores on Friday, and Albion youth will be hitting the stores in Albion, Holley and Clarendon area on Saturday.

The Genesee-Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse began Project Sticker Shock in 2008 to combat the sale of alcohol to minors in Orleans County. The basic concept involves local students from the five school districts placing orange stickers on a variety of alcoholic beverages in grocery stores, convenient stores and gas stations.

“This community awareness campaign is intended to address youth access to alcohol and community norms that support not providing alcohol to minors,” said Pat Crowley, project director for Orleans United Drug Free Communities Coalition.

These stickers warn purchasers of the ramifications of buying and distributing alcohol to minors.

“The sticker’s bright orange color immediately draws the purchaser’s attention to its warning stating ‘Know The Law,'” Crowley said.

With the assistance of GCASA staff, school students, teachers and local stores thousands of stickers have been placed on alcoholic beverages.