Project Sticker Shock
The Goals
Project Sticker Shock aims to prevent underage youth from obtaining alcohol from adults 21 or older or using a fake ID to purchase alcohol by raising community awareness about Washington laws.
This program encourages partnership between community organizations, youth, retail establishments, law enforcement, media, and other community members.
During an event, participants place stickers that warn about the legal consequences for providing alcohol to underage youth on cases and bottles of alcohol at local retailers.
The Facts
Did you know that alcohol is the most widely abused substance among youth in the United States? Underage drinking is dangerous because it negatively impacts brain development and increases the risk of physical and sexual assault, legal problems, other drug abuse, heavy drinking later in life, and suicide and homicide.
According to the 2018 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, the majority of underage drinkers (72%) did not pay for alcohol the last time they drank and the most common source of alcohol (23%) for these youth was an unrelated person aged 21 or older.
Did you Know?
It is against the law
While some people may think it is responsible to supervise teens and young people under the age of 21 to drink alcohol, the Washington State Legislature does not agree and has made such supervision a crime.
Thus, if adults allow a party where alcohol is available to people under age 21, they are violating the law. RCW 66.44.270
The Consequences
In Washington State, both adults and minors (under 21) can be charged when minors drink alcohol:
~Furnishing Liquor (Social Providing/Social Hosting)
~Minor in Possession (MIP)
~Minor in Consumption (MIC)
These offenses are a gross-misdemeanor. It could cost $5000 and a year in jail. That is on top of paying court fees, probation and affects to employment.