This public awareness project is sponsored by the Warren Hills Community Coalition, a program of the Family Guidance Center, to bring attention to the issue of underage drinking and the adults who provide alcohol to minors.  The message of this year’s campaign is “What we permit… we promote”, which directly challenges adult attitudes and social norms about selling and providing alcohol to minors.

In the photo, left to right: participating students included Devon Fisher, Cheryl Piersaul, Selina Guevara, Zoe King, and Sharon Guevara from Warren County’s Project Teach.

“As a Coalition, we work diligently and passionately to create a safer, healthier community for our young people to grow and develop,” said Liz Montalvo of the Warren Hills Community Coalition. ”The Sticker Shock Project is one of the many campaigns we initiate at the beginning of the holiday season to accomplish this goal and encourage parents and teens to be safe during the holidays.” 

The “Warning” stickers placed throughout liquor stores serve as a strong reminder that providing alcohol to minors is illegal and doing so comes with serious consequences.  In the state of New Jersey, providing alcohol to a minor can result in up to $1,000 in fines and a 6 month jail sentence.  Underage drinking is a community problem requiring members from the community to be part of the solution.  The Sticker Shock Program brought adults, youth and local retail stores together last week to combat the prevalence of underage drinking and help to make the Warren Hills Region a safer, healthier community.