On May 25, students from Lincoln Academy and Wiscasset High School spent their afternoon with the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, Damariscotta Police Department, Wiscasset Police Department, the CLC YMCA, and substance use prevention coordinators from Healthy Lincoln County placing thousands of bright orange stickers on packs of alcohol at local retailers – five in Damariscotta, two in Newcastle, two in Bristol, and two in Wiscasset. 

They do this as part of an effort called “Project Sticker Shock” which aims to prevent underage drinking. Sticker Shock is sponsored by the Maine Office of Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services and aims to reach individuals over age 21 who legally purchase alcohol and provide it to a minor. A team of youth, accompanied by adult chaperones and local law enforcement officers, will visit stores to place stickers on beer and other appropriate alcoholic beverages. The stickers are designed to remind adults who might purchase alcohol and then provide it to minors, which can result in fines up to $2,000 and possible jail time. 

“We’re so glad to have participated in another successful sticker shock event” says Healthy Lincoln County coordinator, Larissa Hannan, “not only was it great to branch out into the Bristol area for the first time, but to have the support of Wiscasset P.D. and Wiscasset High School was amazing! Knowing that our local high school students care about substance use prevention and education is a really big win for our community.”

The results of a local youth substance use assessment show that over half of Lincoln County high school students think it would be easy to get alcohol if they wanted it, according to the 2019 Maine Integrated Youth Health Survey.

Project Sticker Shock is sponsored by the SUPP Coalition (Substance Use Prevention Partnership) with support from Healthy Lincoln County and the CLC YMCA Teen Leaders.

Any retailers who are interested in being a Sticker Shock site for future events in 2022 can contact Healthy Lincoln County at 563-1330.