Buffalo Grove teens combat underage drinking
With warm weather come many memorable events for young people including proms, graduation and summer vacations. Unfortunately, with these events also come concerns about underage drinking.
On Saturday April 17, members of the Buffalo Grove High School Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) group and the Buffalo Grove Police Department participated in Project Sticker Shock.
Project Sticker Shock seeks to educate those persons 21 years of age or older who might illegally purchase alcohol and provide it to minors. Bright yellow stickers displaying a warning message about the penalties for furnishing alcohol to minors are placed on all multi-packs of beer, wine coolers and other alcohol products that might appeal to underage drinkers. The project represents a partnership between youth, local retailers, concerned parents and community members, prevention professionals and law enforcement with the goal of educating persons 21 and older of the underage laws and raising public awareness about underage drinking.
Project Sticker Shock volunteers visited liquor retailers in Buffalo Grove as part of Alcohol Awareness Month. The Illinois Liquor Control Commission (ILCC) provided materials for the campaign through funds from its "Don't Be Sorry" educational program.
"The purpose of the program is to change community ideas about underage drinking," said Chief Steve S. Balinski. "We need to change our society's attitudes about underage drinking and hold people accountable who are providing minors with alcohol."
Participating retailers included: Binny's Beverage Depot, Dominick's Foods and Jewel Osco.
A person selling or providing alcohol to a minor is subject to a $2,500.00 fine and up to a year in jail.
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