MEXICO — Shoppers in the River Valley may have noticed something different about the packaging of their favorite spirits as they were preparing for the New Year’s celebration a few weeks ago.

Collaboration between the River Valley Healthy Communities Coalition, Mexico Police Department and the Mexico Explorers meant the return of Project Sticker Shock to the area. On Dec. 29 six Mexico Explorers along with their advisers set out in two teams to implement Project Sticker Shock. Sticker Shock was adapted from a youth group in Pennsylvania and was first implemented in Maine by Fort Kent Area Community Voices in February 2001. The project is sponsored by the Maine Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services.

The day began at the Mexico Walmart where they were greeted by shift manager Denise Simmons. The whole team then got to work on their planned task of blanketing the Walmart alcoholic beverage aisle and football display at the front of the store with the fluorescent orange stickers. Although the stickers are just a small reminder that it is not OK to provide alcohol to minors it is a simple but critical message that it is in fact illegal to buy alcohol for a minor, with fines up to $2000 and a year in jail.

From there the Explorers broke into teams visiting five more stores that included Blaisdell’s Variety, the Big Apples and the Circle Ks of both Rumford and Mexico.

The event was very well received by the participating stores. It is expected that there will be another event planned for the spring. Any business wishing to take part in the next program can contact Sandy Witas of the River Valley Healthy Communities Coalition, 364-7408 or rvhccwitas@gwi.net.

Copy the Story Link