News Release
For Immediate Release: January 15, 2008
Contact Person: Diane Lee, 301-334-7730
Project Sticker Shock Targets Underage Drinking
Pictured at left are members of
the Southern SADD group.
From left to right front row are
Cooper McCauley, Johnny Mousch,
Landon Todd; back row
Chanda Beckman, Rebecca Lee,
and Derek Hinebaugh.
Youth leaders from the Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) Groups at Southern and Northern High Schools, along with staff from the Garrett County Health Department, are working together to combat Garrett County 's ongoing problem of underage drinking. According to the 2004 Maryland Adolescent Survey, alcohol continues to be the drug of choice among Garrett County youth. Seventy-eight percent (78%) of Garrett County 12 th graders have used some form of alcohol in their lifetime and 51.5% have used in the last 30 days.
In order to educate the public and change attitudes about selling, serving, or sharing alcohol with anyone under 21, the SADD Groups and the Garrett County Health Department are joining forces in "Project Sticker Shock." The project is now beginning its third year of partnering with local alcohol vendors to spread "Sticker Shock" waves throughout Garrett County by placing stickers on cases of beer in their stores. The sticker spells out a strong reminder: "It is illegal to buy or provide alcohol for anyone under 21."
The first round of this project occurred before the Christmas and New Year's holidays and will continue when stickers are placed on cases of beer in stores in May and June, another high-risk time for underage drinking because of prom and graduation.
The Garrett County Health Department would like to thank those businesses that have participated in the 2007-08 Project Sticker Shock as it continues to expand throughout the county. Participating business include Anchor Mart, Chestnut Ridge Liquors, Friendsville Discount Liquors, Get N' Go, Hartman's BP Amoco, Slopeside Market, Midway Liquors, Oakland Exxon, Swanton Gas & Grocery, and Winner's Circle.
Project Sticker Shock is supported by a grant from the Governor's Office of Crime Control and Prevention and the Garrett County Partnership for Children and Families, Inc. / Local Management Board. Any business interested in participating in future Project Sticker Shock efforts should call Garrett County Health Department at 301-334-7730 or 301-895-3111.
Cutline: SADD group members have been busy placing stickers on cases of beer in local businesses throughout the county, reminding people that "It is illegal to buy or provide alcohol for anyone under 21."