Somerville youth conduct compliance checks, sticker shock campaign as part of prevention, enforcement strategies.

Annual compliance checks at all licensed Somerville liquor outlets will take place from November 2015 through June 2016, conducted by Somerville Cares About Prevention (SCAP) and the Somerville Police Department, the Somerville Office of Prevention (SOP) announced today.

Throughout the year, SCAP and Somerville Positive Forces 100% (SPF 100), SCAP’s youth leadership development program for teens, conduct compliance checks, sticker shock campaigns that warn of the dangers of selling alcohol to minors, shoulder tap surveys, and Public Service Announcements to educate the Somerville community about the dangers of substance abuse, and alcohol sales to minors.

Student volunteers participating in the compliance checks will receive training by the Somerville Police Department. SCAP and Police Department teams will focus on package stores, bars and restaurants that have “all-forms” liquor licenses.

“We know that alcohol is the number one drug problem facing youth, resulting in more death among young people than all other illicit drugs combined,” said Cory Mashburn, Director of the Somerville Office of Prevention. “Frequent oversight of alcohol retailers increases compliance, and with our dedicated youth leaders and volunteers, we hope to continue our successful campaigns against drug and alcohol abuse, beginning here in our own community. Activities such as compliance checks monitor and encourage establishments to make sure youth don’t have easy access to alcohol.”

SCAP is a community-based coalition supported by the City of Somerville’s Health and Human Services Department. SCAP’s mission is to reduce substance abuse among the residents of Somerville, as well as the harms associated with such use. To learn more about SCAP or to become involved contact Cory Mashburn at cmashburn@somervillema.gov or 617-625-6600 ext. 2570.