[Archived] ‘Sticker Shock’ Highlights Risks, Consequences of Providing Alcohol to Minors

The Sticker Shock campaign will kick off with a press conference at the Alexandria Department of Community and Human Services, 720 North St. Asaph St., Alexandria, at 10 a.m. Saturday, October 25.  Speakers include Mayor William D. Euille and Alexandria Police Captain Juan Torres. T.C. Williams students Andrea Melara and Dixon Fox will emcee the event. Following the press conference, teams of youth and adults will visit more than 50 participating retailers in Alexandria and affix stickers to alcohol products. The stickers contain information about the penalties for furnishing alcohol to minors.

In Virginia, providing alcohol to a minor is a misdemeanor with a fine of up to $2,500 and up to 12 months in jail, or both.  In addition, a person convicted of this offense will have his or her driver’s license suspended for up to a year.

National polls report that youth ages 13 and older say it is easy to get alcohol from adults―sometimes from their own parents who themselves may have drinking problems.  In a recent Alexandria survey, almost 40 percent of high school seniors said they drank alcohol in the past 30 days, with 25 percent reporting binge drinking of more than five drinks in a row. 

Sticker Shock is sponsored by the Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition of Alexandria (SAPCA); Alexandria Department of Community and Human Services; Alexandria Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities; Alexandria Police Department; Alexandria Sheriff’s Office; and Virginia ABC.  Participating local retailers include Giant Food, Safeway, 7-11, CVS and a host of small grocery and convenience stores.  

SAPCA is an alliance of more than 80 members representing parents, youth, schools, City of Alexandria health and recreation agencies, media, nonprofits, businesses, faith communities, policymakers and law enforcement whose mission is to engage the entire community in reducing youth substance use and abuse in Alexandria. SAPCA was created in 2007 as part of the Partnership for a Healthier Alexandria (www.healthieralexandria.org). Alexandria Mayor William D. Euille is SAPCA’s honorary chair.