Citywide effort aimed at adults purchasing alcoholic beverage multi-packs
*

Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone and Somerville Cares About Prevention’s (SCAP) youth group, “Somerville Positive Forces” announced their 6th Annual Holiday Sticker Shock Campaign. It will consist of SPF100, 10 high school students, and SPFJr, a group of 10 middle school students and the two advisers Director Cory Mashburn and Community Organizer Lovelee Heller. SPF100 will work with the Somerville Police Department and several local retailers and restaurants over the last several months to alert community members about the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse.

“This is our sixth year implementing Sticker Shock in Somerville, and we have already built some strong relationships with many of the local merchants, who are extremely supportive,” said Heller.  “Many have provided us with important feedback about how to improve our campaign, and as a result we plan on translating these stickers into several languages, to reflect the diversity of our community.  This group is dedicated to the well-being of the entire community, and we’re hoping to have a big effect on decreasing alcohol and drug use among teens.”
SCAP has conducted Sticker Shock for six years and recent campaign improvements include stickers come in seven languages, reaching broader community demographics.
“We’re excited to get to work and make the change needed in our community, and we’re happy to have the support of local merchants to implement the Sticker Shock campaign,” said SPF100 member Joytika Bhargo.  “In conducting this activity, we hope that it will enforce the idea of keeping the sale of alcohol to adults only, and make sure everyone has a safe holiday season.”
SCAP’s goal for the 2011-2012 campaign is to place 7,000 stickers at stores citywide.
If you are interested in this project or have any question please contact Cory Mashburn, Somerville Office of Prevention at 617-625-6600 x2570.