Adults penalized for purchasing alcohol for minors in the Clarkston area will not be able to say they did not know what was coming.
On April 4 and 6, nearly 20 students from the CHS SADD club visited many area retailers to place bright orange stickers on alcohol and wine products. The stickers warn adults that buying minors alcohol is a crime punishable by a $1,000 fine and up to 60 days in jail.
The Clarkston Coalition for Youth, the Clarkston High School SADD Club, the Oakland County Sheriff’s Department and Independence Township Fire Department implemented ‘Project Sticker Shock? last week in Clarkston.
‘We want to make sure that people are just aware because sometimes there’s a misconception that it’s okay, under social norms, to provide alcohol to minors. We want to educate everyone on the laws and take them aware you have to be 21 to consume alcohol,? said The Clarkston Coalition for Youth President Kelly Hyer.
?(The kids) love doing it and felt like they were making a difference and that adults would make note of the stickers,? said CHS teacher and SADD Advisor Trisha Carter.
With spring break trips and graduation approaching, Carter said the campaign could not have come at a better time.
‘I’m very proud of these kids. I’m thrilled it’s a message they continue to support and spread throughout the Clarkston community,? added Carter.
Students were accompanied by chaperones to stores at times of mutual convenience for all parties involved.
The groups worked as part of the Alliance of Coalitions for Healthy Communities (ACHD) which is a group of community members from 15 coalitions and more than 20 cities in Oakland County and was supported by Oakland County Prosecuting Attorney David Gorcyca.
Sergeant Paul Bidinger of the Oakland County Sheriff’s Department said many of the businesses were receptive, but not all were as receptive as he would have liked.
‘I hope it heightens awareness of alcohol abuse and the consequences of providing alcohol to people under 21,? said Bidinger.