DrugFreeAz.org’s Way Out West Coalition Promotes Annual Sticker Shock Campaign

(Buckeye, Ariz.)–What do spring break, prom and graduation all have in common? Would you believe, “Sticker Shock?” As of Friday, March 7, 85 restaurants, businesses and retail shops in Buckeye are supporting the Way Out West Coalition’s effort to reduce underage drinking during spring break, prom and graduation. Four WOW Coalition members and ten Student Leadership Team members from Buckeye high schools participated in this year’s event, reminding adults that it’s not okay for youth to drink alcohol.

“It’s called Sticker Shock,” said Naomi Winfrey, a senior at Youngker High School and president of Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD). “We get our message out by asking restaurants and retailers in the community to display posters and table tents to create awareness and reduce underage drinking.”

Lexi Bohanan, also from Youngker, shared, “Two years ago, we had twenty-one businesses involved. Last year we doubled the number and had the support of forty-two. This year we set a goal to expand to sixty, and now, “bam” we have eighty-five Buckeye businesses supporting us! We even ran out of posters and had to get more printed overnight to continue. That delayed the beginning of our spring break because we had to go back out into the community after school the next day to finish the job. I couldn’t think of a better problem to have!”

Student Leadership Development expert, Larry Tracey, states, “Sticker Shock is one of many ways the WOW Coalition works to create a safe, unified, drug-free community in the Greater Buckeye Valley. We were recently informed that the State of Arizona awarded the Way Out West Coalition the designation of being an Evidence Based Program for the second year in a row!  The job these student leaders did makes WOW’s success even more real. They are part of the promising future in store for Arizona and beyond!”  

Do you know someone who doesn’t have posters or table tents displayed? Let us know and we’ll make it happen!  Email: stickershock@youth4youth.org

For more information on the WOW Coalition visit www.wayoutwestcoalition.org. For more information on DrugFreeAZ.org visit www.DrugFreeAZ.org.

About Way Out West (WOW) Coalition:

The Way Out West (WOW) Coalition was created in Buckeye by DrugFreeAZ.org and Youth Evaluation and Treatment Centers (YETC) as part of its Community Alliance Program. WOW exists to create a safe, unified, drug-free community in the greater Buckeye Valley.  WOW’s strength comes from the diversity of its members from all sectors of our community, from business, healthcare, law enforcement and education to parents and community members and leaders. This project has been funded in part by Magellan Health Services of Arizona through an agreement with the Arizona Department of Health Services, Division of Behavioral Health Services.

About DrugFreeAz.org:

DrugFreeAz.org – The Partnership for a Drug-Free America, Arizona Affiliate is a 501(c) (3) non-profit statewide organization with a volunteer board of directors. Our mission is to prevent and reduce youth drug and alcohol use through community education and awareness by providing parents, caregivers, healthcare providers, educators and others with educational tools, information and resources.