RUTLAND—The Regional Partners for Prevention (RPP), a program of Rutland Regional Medical Center (RRMC), will join with Farrell Distributing for their third annual Sticker Shock campaign, which will take place on June 28.
Over 500 stickers will be placed on multi-packs of beer and other alcoholic products warning potential buyers in the Rutland area that providing alcohol to minors is a serious crime.
Sticker Shock is a national campaign to reduce underage drinking by limiting youth access to alcohol. The campaign is designed to discourage adults from buying alcohol for minors by educating them about the dangers and consequences of these actions.
Members of Regional Partners for Prevention, which promotes the fight against substance use and misuse among youth and young adults in Rutland County, will participate in its annual Sticker Shock campaign at Farrell Distributing. Part of this initiative involves placing over 500 stickers on multi-packs of beer and other alcohol products with a warning message about the dangers and consequences of buying alcohol for minors.
The program is a timely reminder to keep vigilant with alcohol use, especially during the upcoming summer holiday season. In Vermont, it is a Class 1 misdemeanor to provide alcohol to minors. If found guilty, this comes with a fine of up to $2,000 and/or up to two years in jail, and a possible driver’s license suspension.
“Sticker Shock is an awareness campaign to remind everyone about the laws pertaining to providing alcohol to underage drinkers,” said Kaitlyn Gawet, RPP coordinator at RRMC. “It is a great opportunity to partner with community members and come together on a common issue.”
According to the 2019 Vermont Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 15% of Rutland County high school youth reported that they had their first drink before age 13 compared to 13% at the state level. More than half (56%) of Rutland County youth have ever consumed alcohol and 31% had drunk in the previous 30 days before the survey compared to 55% and 31% across the state.
Additionally, it is important to talk with youth about expectations and to have open conversations about alcohol. Almost three out of every four youth (72%) in grades 9-12 reported that their parents would disapprove of them drinking. More than half (56%) disapproved of someone their age consuming alcohol. By communicating expectations, the assumption that “everyone is doing it” falls away.
“We are happy to support this campaign and show our youth that the adults in the community are here to support them,” said Todd Bouton, general manager of Farrell Distributing.
You can become involved with #ProjectStickerShock and support keeping youth alcohol-free by starting the conversation about substances with the youth in your life.
