IRON MOUNTAIN, Mich. (WZMQ) – In supermarkets across two counties, an unusual sight unfolded in the liquor aisles. But don’t fret, it’s all part of a public service message.
North Dickinson seniors, Maggie Mattson and Maddie Applekamp, spearheaded an awareness campaign aimed at spreading the message about the consequences of underage drinking. The campaign, dubbed ‘Sticker Shock,’ is sponsored by the Dickinson-Iron Communities That Care.
Students from four schools in Dickinson and Iron counties took part in placing 600 sticker labels on packages of alcohol inside Tadych’s and Super One grocery stores.
“Providing alcohol for minors not only could end you up in jail, but you could get a hefty fee along with it, and a record that comes along with it,” Maggie emphasized.
“Not to mention, there are a lot of casualties with underage drinking, and that could stay on your heart forever,” Maddie added solemnly.
The initiative garnered support from four law enforcement agencies, including the Michigan State Police, the Iron County Sheriff Office, and the Iron River and Iron Mountain police departments.
Commenting on the turnout, a spokesperson stated, “Over at Super One, it was a good turnout. We had about 8-9 kids that came over and stickered all the alcohol they could in the time allotted, and it was a good opportunity to get out in the community and to promote alcohol awareness to the customers that were there.”
While the “Sticker Shock” campaign isn’t new, it experienced a hiatus during the pandemic. However, the students strategically planned its relaunch to coincide with Alcohol Awareness Month, ahead of prom and the approaching graduation season.
“We wanted to make sure that these stickers are there for prom especially and graduation, hopefully. And just to show people who might be thinking about selling to minors the consequences,” Maggie explained.
Maggie and Maddie expressed hope that underclassmen would continue the tradition, contributing to the ongoing efforts to eradicate underage drinking.
“If we start putting this in place every year, make it an annual thing, more and more people will start joining,” Maggie envisioned.
Dickinson-Iron Communities That Care aims to expand next year’s campaign to involve more schools.
Note: Those interested in helping analyze the results of this year’s youth survey on the data committee can contact the Dickinson-Iron CTC Prevention Coordinator at:
bobboivin@greatlakesrecovery.org
For more information about the Dickinson-Iron Communities that Care, visit:
