LEWISTON – Project Sticker Shock, a youth-led initiative, was a success in Lewiston, Turner, Leeds and Greene. Youth 2 Youth groups from Leavitt Area and Lewiston high schools visited participating stores to spread “Sticker Shock” waves across the communities in an effort to reach adults who might be tempted to buy alcohol for youth under 21 who can’t buy legally themselves.

The fluorescent orange-and-black stickers stand out on the beer and alcopop six-packs and cases and provide the reminder: “Providing Alcohol to Minors is Illegal! Fines are up to $2,000 and up to one year in jail.”

“Adults need to send a clear and consistent message for kids,” said Jamie Kay Hodgkin, Leavitt Area High School Youth 2 Youth group member. “When adults supply alcohol to youth, it sends us a very mixed message. Underage drinking is not just a teen problem, but a community problem. Adults, youth, law enforcement and retail stores all need to be part of the solution.”

“A strong community message is sent when these businesses partner with this effort and take responsibility for speaking out against underage drinking,” said Sarah Duchette, Youth 2 Youth adviser at Leavitt Area High School.

Alcohol has been identified as the number one drug of choice among youth and, according to local youth, one of the easiest substances to obtain. The Sticker Shock campaign, along with Parents Who Host, Lose the Most: Don’t be a Party to Teenage Drinking campaign, hope to cause adults to think twice before making it easier for youth to access alcohol.

For more information on Sticker Shock or Parents Who Host Campaign, call Healthy Androscoggin, Project Unite at 795-5990.