Local kids and adults will fan out across Alexandria this weekend to place stickers on packs of beer and other alcoholic beverages, as part of an anti-underage drinking campaign.
The operation, dubbed “Sticker Shock,” involves teams “shocking” would-be alcohol purchasers with stickers that warn of the consequences of buying booze for kids. Teams will be placing the stickers at Giant, Safeway, 7-Eleven, CVS and other grocery and convenience stores across the city on Saturday.
“Research shows that it is easy for youth to obtain alcohol,” the city said in a press release about the operation. “A recent Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance Survey reported 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.”
The full press release is below.
On Saturday, Oct. 19, teams of Alexandria youth and adults will “shock” purchasers of alcohol by placing bright red warning stickers on multi-packs of beer and other alcohol products in local stores.
Sticker Shock is a youth-led initiative designed to educate adults who might purchase alcohol legally and provide it to minors. The stickers contain warnings about the serious penalties for furnishing alcohol to minors.
The Sticker Shock campaign will kick off with a press conference at the City of Alexandria Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS), 720 N. St. Asaph St., Alexandria, at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 19. Speakers include Alexandria Police Department Chief Michael Brown and Alexandria Sheriff’s Office Lieutenant Quentin Wade. Following the press conference, teams of youth and adults will travel throughout the city to visit more than 50 participating retailers to affix the warning stickers. Local retailers who are participating in the campaign include Giant Food, Safeway, 7-11, CVS and many other small grocery and convenience stores.
In Virginia, it is a Class 1 misdemeanor, with a punishment of up to $2,500 and up to 12 months in jail, or both. In addition to these penalties, a person found guilty shall have his or her driver’s license suspended.
Research shows that it is easy for youth to obtain alcohol. A recent Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance Survey reported 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. A Developmental Assets Profile indicated 29 percent of high school seniors said they drank alcohol in the past 30 days, with 16 percent reporting that they got drunk once or more in the last two weeks.
Sticker Shock is sponsored by the Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition of Alexandria (SAPCA); DCHS; Alexandria Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities; Alexandria Police Department; Alexandria Sheriff’s Office; and Virginia ABC.
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.
File photo
Recent Stories
Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) is the biggest winner of a 2.5 cent tax rate increase being considered by City Council, but it still falls short of the budget voted…
Vermilion at 1120 King Street has some pretty prestigious fans. Washington Post food critic Tom Sietsema shared a list of his five favorite spots around the area with an emphasis…
Good Friday morning, Alexandria! ☀️ Today’s weather: Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 66. Still mostly cloudy tonight with a low around 47, then cloudy again…
A look at the smallest and largest homes sold in Alexandria last month, March 2024.
For many remote workers, a messy home is distracting.
You’re getting pulled into meetings, and your unread emails keep ticking up. But you can’t focus because pet hair tumbleweeds keep floating across the floor, your desk has a fine layer of dust and you keep your video off in meetings so no one sees the chaos behind you.
It’s no secret a dirty home is distracting and even adds stress to your life. And who has the energy to clean after work? That’s why it’s smart to enlist the help of professionals, like Well-Paid Maids.
Monarch Montessori School is now enrolling infants, toddlers and three year-olds for its full-time Montessori program. We offer a seamless enrollment process which involves submitting an application for review, paying the enrollment fee and submitting the remaining enrollment materials before your proposed start date.
At Monarch Montessori School, we aim to provide an authentic Montessori learning experience. At our Alexandria location, we currently have 8 openings in our Primary classroom (ages 3-6), and 6 openings in our Toddler classroom. Additionally, there are 3 infant openings at this time.
Our first floor space is an open concept. Infants and toddlers share the same large classroom. Children ages 3-6 are in two classrooms on our second floor. Each classroom has one lead and assistant guide. We offer a year-round program, with intermittent breaks for Spring Break and Winter Break.
Scholarship Fund of Alexandria Annual Gala & Auction
Do good while having a good time at the Scholarship Fund of Alexandria’s 38th Annual Gala and Auction at the Hilton Alexandria Mark Center. The fun begins with a 2-hour open bar reception while mingling with 499 other Alexandrians who
