Sticker Shock Campaign to Prevent Underage Drinking

Recently, the Soda Springs Police Department and the Soda Springs High School Council participated in an alcohol education campaign county-wide.  We provided educational materials in the form of stickers to be placed on bags used for purchasing alcohol.  These stickers ensure brighter futures by urging adults not to provide alcohol to minors, a common issue during the holiday season.  The Soda Springs High School Student Council spent volunteer hours performing the tasks in setting up and disseminating the materials to each store in Caribou County that sells alcohol.  On October 31st, they also set up a mock DUI crash demonstration at the Soda Springs High School.  This campaign extends out efforts to prevent underage drinking in Caribou County.

The holiday season is a time for joy and togetherness, but it’s also a time when underage drinking becomes a significant concern.  In Soda Springs and Caribou County, we are working together to prevent this problem through the Sticker Shock Campaign, a statewide initiative aimed at reducing underage access to alcohol.  

Sponsored by the Office of Drug Policy, the Idaho State Liquor Division, and the Soda Springs Police Department, the campaign involves placing eye-catching stickers on brown paper liquor store bags with a powerful message: “Ensure Brighter Futures: Never Provide Alcohol to Minors.”  These stickers, applied by dedicated student volunteers from Soda Springs High School, serve as a visible reminder to adults of the responsibility they hold in protecting the youth of our community.

As Sherlene Kirby, Soda Springs High School’s Student Council Advisor, wisely advises, “One drink leads to another, to another, to heartbreak and loss.  Be smart—don’t drink.” 

The campaign officially began locally on November 18th and is happening in stores across the state.  It complements other local efforts, such as the recent mock DUI crash demonstration during Red Ribbon Week.  This impactful event, presented by the Soda Springs Police Department, Bayer Fire and Rescue, and the Caribou County Sheriff’s Office, emphasized the devastating consequences of substance use an underage drinking.

Underage drinking affects everyone in the community, and preventing it requires community-wide effort.  By reminding adults to think twice before providing alcohol to minors, the Sticker Shock Campaign brings awareness to an issue that affects not only individual lives, but also the safety and future of our youth.  

I urge everyone in Soda Springs and Caribou County to join us in this effort.  The next time you see a stickered bag at a liquor store or local business selling alcohol, let it be a reminder of the important role you play in ensuring brighter futures for the young people around you.

For more information on preventing underage drinking and helpful resources, please visit Be the Parents website for more information at betheparents.org.  Together, we can make a difference in our community this holiday season.