Have you seen Liquor Stickers at your local package store? The Westport Prevention Coalition (WPC) is revitalizing its parent awareness campaign through an outreach effort by Aspetuck Health District (AHD) to partner with local liquor stores.
The Liquor Stickers campaign provides parents with information cards along with stickers to seal unfinished bottles of alcohol. The goal is to increase parents’ awareness that underage drinking poses real risks to youth, and that the primary location where they obtain alcohol is in their own home or a friend’s home. The stickers serve as a reminder to parents that they should keep alcohol locked up and out of the hands of children and teens.
Risks of Underage Alcohol Use
According to the National Institutes of Health, underage alcohol use interferes with brain development. It is also associated with injuries, risky behaviors such as fights and sexual assault, problems at school, use of other substances, and dependence.
NIH reports that 90% of people who have an addiction disorder began using substances before age 18. Research indicates that the younger a person is when they start drinking or using other substances, the more likely they are to become dependent.
In Westport, WPC’s 2024 Youth Survey found that 1 in 14 seventh graders (7%) reported using alcohol in the past month. According to Margaret Watt, prevention director at Positive Directions, who conducted the survey in collaboration with Westport Public Schools, that rate is much higher than in neighboring towns like Fairfield, Trumbull, Darien, and Norwalk. Staples High School students also drink at higher rates than in nearby towns.
The Westport Youth Survey also found that more than half (54%) of Westport students who drink report getting their alcohol from their parents with permission. In addition, the most common places where youth use alcohol are at parties and in homes. That’s why the Liquor Stickers cards emphasize the role of parents and highlight Connecticut’s Social Host Law.
The Social Host Law holds adults responsible for any underage alcohol or cannabis use that occurs on their property. When youth are gathering at a home, parents are responsible for providing supervision to ensure that no underage substance use is taking place. The penalty is up to $2000 per minor.
Where to Find Liquor Stickers
WPC and AHD encourage parents to pick up the Liquor Stickers campaign materials when purchasing alcohol. Info cards and Liquor Stickers are available at 10 participating package stores: 99 Bottles, BevMax, Black Bear, Castle Wine & Spirits, Dan’s Liquors, Discount Liquor, Greens Farms Spirits, Kindred Spirits & Wine, The Grapevine, and Westport Wine and Spirits.
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