Hopatcong Kids Hope to Stop Underage Drinking

The following is from the Sussex County Center for Prevention & Counseling:

The New Jersey Department of Health and Human Services and New Jersey Prevention Network toured the state for three days last week recognizing communities and community leaders for their role in reducing underage drinking. Hopatcong leaders included the Community Trials Intervention Youth Group, Hopatcong Police Chief John Swanson and Becky Carlson from Center for Prevention & Counseling.

Hopatcong’s CTI youth group participated in a Sticker Shock Campaign at the Liquor Factory. The Sticker Shock Campaign, a program of Center for Prevention & Counseling, 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 were placed on all multi-packs of beer and wine coolers. The project represents a partnership between youth, retailers, concerned parents, community members and law enforcement.

The goal is to educate potential suppliers of alcohol, raise public awareness about underage drinking and provide the law and consequences as a deterrent to providing alcohol to minors.

The event was filmed by the New Jersey Department of Health and Human Services and will be highlighted in a 12-minute video that features what the state is doing to reduce underage drinking.   The film will be used nationwide for training purposes at conferences and workshops.

Dana Bibeault, Samantha Egbert, Brittany Bastedo, Cliff Lundin, Lacey Krueger, Hailey Krueger, Belle Ward, Swanson and Eldina Kucevic each took part in the program.