Members of the Jamestown High School Empathy Club are pictured after placing stickers on cases of beer at a local RoBo Enterprises store.

The Chautauqua Alcohol and Substance Abuse Council is collaborating with area businesses on Project Sticker Shock.

CASAC is collaborating with Kim Carlson, RoBo Enterprise owner, also from “A Fresh Start;” Arthur R. Gren Co. Inc. and students from a variety of Chautauqua County School Districts to combat underage drinking. Students participating include: Jamestown High School health classes, the “Justice for All” JHS Empathy Class, Falconer Central School’s SADD group and the Maple Grove Junior-Senior High School Honor Society. Students will be placing stickers on all cases of beer at all RoBo locations throughout the county.

Alcohol has been identified as the leading drug of choice among youth ages 12 to 18 years old, and according to youth, one of the easiest to get. A 2016 survey conducted by the HOPE Chautauqua Coalition revealed that almost one-third of Chautauqua County teenagers report having had their first drink, more than a sip or two once or twice a month, before their thirteenth birthday. Youth who drink before age 15 are four times more likely to develop alcohol dependence than those who begin drinking at age 21.

Nearly 90 percent of teens say alcohol is easy to get. When they first start drinking, most youth get alcohol from home, their friends and other adults, with or without their parents’ permission.

An adult who buys alcohol for anyone under 21 can face a $1,000 fine for a first offense and a $2,500 fine for each additional offense while adults who supply minors with alcohol may also be liable for any resulting injuries and/or property damage caused by the minor.