Teams of Alexandria kids and parents will visit dozens of retailers this weekend to put warning stickers on beer and wine and other alcohol containers.
Dozens of convenience stores, grocery stores and other businesses that sell alcohol are participating in the annual Project Sticker Shock campaign warning adults against buying alcohol for minors.
Students from Alexandria City High School are fulfilling their community service requirement by participating.
“The City of Alexandria will shock local shoppers with the Project Sticker Shock Campaign,” the city said in a release. “This youth-led event will kick off with a press conference discussing the importance of preventing underage alcohol access.”
The penalty for giving minors alcohol can be steep. According to the city:
In Virginia, it is a Class 1 misdemeanor to provide alcohol to a minor. It is also illegal for anyone to use a fake ID to purchase alcohol. Adults that provide alcohol to persons under age 21 can face the following penalties upon conviction:
- A $2,500 fine per minor provided an alcoholic beverage
- Up to 12 months in jail
- Loss of the driver’s license for up to 12 months
The project will kick off with a 10 a.m. press conference at the Del Pepper Community Resource Center (4850 Mark Center Drive) on Saturday with Mayor Justin Wilson, Sheriff Sean Casey and Acting Assistant Police Chief Jamie Bridgeman.
