On Dec. 17, students from Lincoln Academy, along with Damariscotta Police Department, the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, the CLC YMCA, and substance use prevention coordinators from Healthy Lincoln County will spend the afternoon placing thousands of bright orange stickers on packs of alcohol at four Damariscotta retailers. 

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. 

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.

“We are so excited to be able to offer Project Sticker Shock again. It’s an initiative that is loved by our community partners, and everyone always enjoys taking part. It’s a great opportunity to build positive relationships with youth, law enforcement, and our county’s alcohol retailers, while also sharing an important message about substance use prevention,” says Kelsey Robinson, Director of Healthy Lincoln County.

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