Project Sticker Shock a Smash Success in Marshall County

MOUNDSVILLE, WV -­ More than 60 youth and adults at 15 Marshall County retail establishments participated recently in Project Sticker Shock, a Marshall County Anti-Drug Coalition initiative that aims to eliminate youth access to alcohol.

Project Sticker Shock is an event designed to not only reduce alcohol sales to youth but also to eliminate the sales of alcohol to adults who purchase alcohol for youth. The youth, with the help of their adult chaperones, placed specially made stickers on alcoholic beverages to remind customers that it's illegal to purchase or provide alcohol to minors.

The program, held annually in November, returned early at the request of local retailers. The event also marked the beginning of prom season in Marshall County and Alcohol Awareness Month in April.

"Our volunteers covered a large amount of territory, all focused on the same mission: To remind everyone that purchasing or providing alcohol to minors is against the law and that there are severe consequences to these actions", said substance abuse prevention director Latrisha Whitelatch. "With the prom season ready to begin, this simple reminder couldn't come at a better time."

Participating retailers included Jerry's Mini Mart in McMechen, Kroger in Benwood and Moundsville, Rite Aid in Benwood, Speedway in Glen Dale, Gumby's in Glen Dale and Moundsville, Smith's Oil in Moundsville; Walmart in Moundsville, Greg's Markets in Moundsville and Cameron, Butch's Corner, Limestone General and Dragon Mart. Youth participating were from John Marshall High School, Moundsville Middle School, Cameron High School, Bishop Donahue High School, the Young Marines in Moundsville and the Young Panthers.

The Marshall County Anti-Drug Coalition is funded in part by a Federal SPF-SIG Grant from the West Virginia Governor's Office and the WV Partnership to Promote Community Well-Being. The grant is made possible by the State of West Virginia's receipt of a federal Strategic Prevention Framework State Incentive Grant (SPF-SIG) from the U.S. Center for Substance Abuse Prevention. The grant is administered through the Marshall County Family Resource Network.

The Marshall County Family Resource Network is a not-for-profit organization that builds community partnerships to make Marshall County a better place to live and work. The FRN's key efforts focus on substance abuse prevention, health and wellness and community development. It has leveraged more than$2.2 million in state and federal grants to help Marshall County over the past three years. It can be reached at 304-845-3300 or on the Web at marshallcountyfrn.com