Sticker Shock brings awareness to underage drinking
Eight Grant High School students spent Thursday afternoon of their spring break visiting liquor stores with Fox Lake Police officers.
The kids and cops were working together to bring awareness to the dangers of underage drinking, as part of "Sticker Shock Day."
Kicking off April as Alcohol Awareness Month, the students visited liquor stores, gas stations and convenience stores to paste warning stickers on a variety of packaged liquor.
High school senior Kelly Pearce said her friends' safety is her main concern.
"It is definitely not cool to drink," she said. "I don't want to see any of my friends end up as victims."
Sponsored by the Illinois Liquor Control Commission, the first-ever event is designed to awaken people to the dangers and consequences of underage drinking.
The students hung posters, taped signs to front doors and posted stickers on randomly selected booze.
The bright yellow warning stickers have two messages, one reminding people that it is illegal to provide alcohol to a person under 21, and the second stating that it's illegal for a minor to use a fake ID.
The statewide event had nearly 1,000 volunteers participating, according to the liquor commission.
Fox Lake Police Lt. Jeff Norris led the group to 15 stores in the Fox Lake area.
"We hope to open the eyes and remind people to be aware of not only the dangers but the consequences of breaking the law," Norris said. Similar efforts were held in Mundelein, Crystal Lake and Algonquin.
The stores were contacted in advance and agreed to have the group place the stickers, Norris said.
Officials at the liquor commission say statistics show the majority of underage drinkers get their alcohol from legal-aged adults, rather than through the use of fake IDs, though both are problems they want to address.
High school senior Jessica Berlinghof said she was happy to take her free time for this cause.
"We hear all about the parties on Monday morning after the weekend," she said. "People talk about how drunk they were and all that. It's not good."