Dunellen, NJ—As prom and graduation season kicks off across New Jersey, students at Dunellen High School are taking an active role in promoting youth safety and discouraging underage drinking. Members of the Stop Underage Drinking Students (SUDS) group recently participated in the Sticker Shock Campaign, a prevention initiative that targets adult behavior and raises awareness about the legal risks of providing alcohol to minors.
In collaboration with the Dunellen Municipal Alliance and the Coalition for Healthy Communities, the campaign aimed to send a strong message to the community: Underage drinking is not just dangerous; it’s illegal, and the consequences are serious. The students worked with Avellino’s Pizzeria and Sports Bar to place bold green stickers on over 200 pizza boxes. Each sticker reads:
KEEP IT LEGAL! It’s ILLEGAL to buy alcohol for youth under age 21. The penalty is up to 6 Months Jail Time + $1,000 Fine.
This effort comes at a critical time. According to the National Road Safety Foundation, the period between Memorial Day and Labor Day, often referred to as the “100 Deadliest Days,” is nationally recognized as the most dangerous time for teen drivers. During this period, teens are three times more likely to be involved in a fatal car crash compared to the rest of the year. This period is marked by graduation parties, proms, and increased social activity. The Sticker Shock Campaign is designed to reduce the likelihood of alcohol-related incidents by discouraging adults from supplying alcohol to minors during these high-risk months.
The campaign is a visible example of how prevention efforts can extend beyond the classroom and into the community. It also emphasizes the shared responsibility of parents, guardians, local businesses, and community leaders in keeping youth safe and informed. By targeting adult behavior and reinforcing legal accountability, initiatives like this aim to reduce access to alcohol among teens and create safer environments for celebration.
Avellino’s Pizzeria and Sports Bar played a key role in the campaign by donating the use of their pizza boxes and generously providing lunch for the students who volunteered their time for this initiative. Community partnerships like this are essential to the success of grassroots prevention efforts, showing that local businesses are just as committed to the health and well-being of Dunellen’s youth.
The Dunellen Municipal Alliance and the Coalition for Healthy Communities have long supported youth-led prevention strategies and recognize that empowering students to take part in these initiatives fosters a greater sense of ownership and impact. By participating in the Sticker Shock Campaign, SUDS members modeled responsible behavior and used their voices to promote a safer, healthier community.
As the school year winds down and graduation celebrations begin, our message to the community is clear: prevention starts with awareness, and it succeeds through collective action. Keeping alcohol out of the hands of minors is not only a legal obligation; it’s a step toward ensuring that every teen can enjoy these milestones safely.
To learn more about the Sticker Shock Campaign or other local prevention initiatives, contact ShaRonda Amon, Coalition Coordinator, at ShaRonda.Amon@wcpnj.org. Community involvement is key to keeping our youth safe. Reach out today to get involved.