Warning glass clings on the front doors at Beverage Superstore in Grayson, GA.
According to Gwinnett County survey data, alcohol is the substance most used among middle and high school students. The data show that 22% of high school students report using alcohol in the past 30 days. Many students also report that they are able to gain access to alcohol from their family or other adults.1
The prevention of underage drinking and easy access to alcohol for underage youth is a high priority in our county. Gwinnett United in Drug Education, Inc. (GUIDE) understands the importance of alcohol prevention and has numerous efforts underway to address issues regarding underage drinking and easy access to alcohol.
In honor of April being Alcohol Awareness Month, GUIDE along with teams of youth and adult volunteers is conducting a Sticker Shock campaign to raise awareness in the Gwinnett community about underage drinking. The Sticker Shock campaign serves as a reminder to parents and other adults that it is against the law to provide alcohol to anyone under 21.
Warning stickers on multi-packs of beer at Way Crest Exxon in Grayson, GA.
During April, the teams of volunteers will visit several retail stores in Gwinnett and place “warning” stickers on multi-packs of beer, wine coolers, and other alcohol products. These stickers communicate that it is against the law to provide alcohol to minors and what the penalties could be. The volunteers will also place “warning” glass clings on the stores’ front doors and coolers for a more permanent reminder of this message.
GUIDE’s Sticker Shock Coordinator, Molly Fraiser, believes that this campaign is important because it not only raises awareness about underage drinking, but also encourages the community to work together to keep Gwinnett healthy and safe.
GUIDE appreciates the community support for this campaign and recognizes the following retail store participants: the Beverage Superstore and Way Crest Exxon in Grayson, the 29 Package Store and La Hispaña Food Mart in Lilburn, and the Norcross Food Mart and Ruby’s Food Mart in Lawrenceville.
1 Youth health survey. (2011). Lawrenceville, Georgia: Gwinnett Coalition for Health and Human Services.