Somerville Youth Leaders Participating In Project Sticker Shock

SOMERVILLE, MA — A Somerville youth group that focuses on substance misuse and prevention has been doing its part to curb underage drinking.

This month, Somerville Positive Forces (SPF) — which is part of Somerville Cares About Prevention (SCAP) — has been putting stickers on bags from liquor stores that remind customers not to purchase alcohol for anyone under the age of 21 years old.

The effort is part of Project Sticker Shock, an initiative that began in Pennsylvania in 1998 and has since become a national campaign. This project is a partnership between youth and alcohol retailers.

According to the City of Somerville, SPF members put more than 3,000 stickers on bags this holiday season.

"This is a really effective way to reach thousands of people and remind adults to not provide youth with alcohol," said Bhavika Kalia, an SPF Jr. middle school youth leader. "Our hope is this will help lower the amount of youth receiving alcohol from adults."

A 2018 survey conducted by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), found that 72 percent of underage drinkers did not pay for alcohol the last time they drank. This means somebody provided the alcohol to these minors.

"Sticker Shock is one way to help reduce youth access to alcohol, especially during the holiday season. (The members of the SPF) hope to remind adults that we have a responsibility to protect the young people in our community," said Lovelee Heller-Bottari, the program director at SCAP.

SPF said it hopes to expand its alcohol awareness campaign in the future by persuading alcohol vendors to adjust signage to include the "don't provide alcohol for minors" message.