The Sherburne County Substance Use Prevention (SUP) Coalition recently hosted their seventh annual Sticker Shock Campaign, where they invite local liquor retailers in the Sherburne County area to partner in their effort to prevent the underage use of alcohol. The activity was conducted before graduation season, as celebrations with alcohol are common and can turn dangerous for underage drinkers.

The Sticker Shock campaign includes using stickers and bottle hangers to display the message “Think Twice – Don’t Supply Alcohol to Minors”.  The message is affixed to alcoholic beverages that most likely would appeal to younger drinkers.

“Retail stores make a profit from selling alcohol and this activity allows them to help prevent problems by trying to reach those adults who buy alcohol legally and give it to youth,” reads a press releases from the SUP Coalition. 

A total of 11 local businesses participated in the Sticker Shock Campaign, including:  Beck’s Pub and G-Will Liquors (Becker), Briggs Lake Liquor (Palmer), Lake Liquors (Big Lake), Northbound and Westbound Liquor (Elk River), O’Brothers Wine & Spirits (Clear Lake), P&A Liquor and Uptown OffSale (Zimmerman), Rogers Wines & Spirits (Rogers) and Sand Dunes Spirits (Orrock).

Youth and adult volunteers placed approximately 1,900 stickers and 500 bottle hangers on alcoholic beverages that might appeal to underage drinkers with a warning message about the penalties for providing alcohol to anyone under 21.

“The SUP Coalition would like to thank the participating businesses for supporting your community and helping to keep our youth safe,” the press release continues.

The Sherburne County Substance Use Prevention Coalition is a community-focused organization on a mission to prevent substance use among our youth by promoting safe and healthy choices. For more information on the coalition, visit www.SherburneSUPCoalition.org.