Background | Sitcker Shock in Adams County | Why Sticker Shock is Needed | Sample Sticker | Contact Information

Project Sticker Shock in Adams County

Project Sticker Shock is coordinated locally by Collaborating For Youth (CFY) and the Adams County Substance Abuse Prevention Program, and is designed to raise public awareness of the law and to reduce/eliminate access to alcohol by minors - particularly during times that may trigger underage alcohol use (homecomings, proms, and graduations).

CFY Youth Coalition members, mentors, and other concerned community members conduct Project Sticker Shock campaigns during Prom, Graduation, and Homecoming seasons.  Project Sticker Shock is a public information campaign that involves placing stickers (shown below) bearing the message “Don’t be a party to underage drinking. It’s against the law.” on cases of alcohol at local distributers. The sticker also features the warning that “Parents Who Host Lose the Most,” reminding adults that there are consequences to providing alcohol to their own or other children under age 21.  

On Monday, April 30, 2012, Lil’s Deb’s High Street Brews and Tommy's Pizza are once again partnering with Collaborating For Youth  to bring Project Sticker Shock to Adams County.

Project Sticker Shock kicks-off at 5:30 pm at Lil' Deb's, with the ceremonial sticker being placed on the first case by the Adams County Comissioners.  Once all the stickers are placed on the cases at Lil's Deb's, the project will continue on to Tommy's pizza where stickers will be placed on six-packs followed by a celebration.

"Educating the public during this prom and graduation seasion is an especially important effort to prevent any potentially tragic consequences."

 The first Project Sticker Shock was led by Dani Crone (New Oxford) and Emily Bemis (Fairfield), past CFY Youth Coalition members.  Both stressed the message that, “parents need to be our parents, not our friends. We need adults in our lives to be responsible – don’t buy us alcohol. It’s against the law.”  Dani served as the Emcee for this first event and Emily recorded a radio spot that was featured on WGTY Radio. Click here to listen to Radio Spot.

Why Is Project Sticker Shock Needed?

In Pennsylvania, any adult who provides alcohol to anyone under 21 – even their own children – or anyone who makes or sells a false ID card will receive a mandatory fine of $1,000 and $2,500 for each subsequent offense.  According to recent public opinion surveys, many adults are not aware of the law and penalties.

Pennsylvania teenagers caught lying about their age to obtain alcohol, purchasing, consuming, possessing, attempting to purchase, transporting alcohol, or carrying a false ID card could result in criminal charge, monetary fines, and suspension of their driving privileges.

Background

Project Sticker Shock is designed to reach adults who might purchase alcohol legally and provide it to minors. Stickers warning about the penalties for furnishing alcohol to minors are placed on all multi-packs of beer, alco-pops, and other alcohol products that might appeal to underage drinkers. The impact of the stickers is increased by media coverage of the event and by longer-lasting signs to be displayed by participating retailers. The project represents a partnership between youth, retailers, concerned parents and community members, prevention professionals, and law enforcement with the goal of educating potential furnishers, raising public awareness about underage drinking, and strengthening the deterrent effect of the law against providing alcohol to minors.

The first Project Sticker Shock was designed by a group of youth in Pennsylvania in 1998, who started locally in their community and then expanded the project statewide in subsequent years.  Today, Sticker Shock Projects are held across the nation in a variety of formats.

Contact Information

For more information on Project Sticker Shock in Adams County or how you can become a participating distributor, please contact Samiah Slusser at (717) 338-0300 x 11 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .