Troy - Rensselaer County Executive Kathleen M. Jimino is commending the effort by members of the Lansingburgh High School chapter of SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) and Troy PEP (Peers Educating Peers) Teens group who will be participating in the County’s “Project Sticker Shock”.

As part of the program on Thursday, May 17, teenagers will descend upon the beer and alcohol section of various Stewart’s Shops throughout Troy to apply informational stickers aimed at preventing alcohol access to those underage. Shoppers will see a message on yellow tags placed on packages of beer and alcohol reminding them it is illegal for any person 21 or older to purchase or provide alcohol to those under age 21.

Statistics show that one-third of all alcohol-related traffic fatalities involving teenagers occur from April through June, a time frame that coincides with prom and graduation season. “Project Sticker Shock” is in addition to the County’s year round efforts to help prevent those tragedies that can occur when the youth of our communities use alcohol or drugs.  Other efforts include Prom Presentations by the County Executive Jimino and the STOP-DWI program who will be speaking to the junior and senior classes at Lansingburgh High School this Thursday morning. The presentation will feature several activities to highlight the potential consequences of underage alcohol use including a Victim Impact Advocate and a mock arraignment of an underage youth arrested for DWI. Local law enforcement and members of the justice system, along with the assistance of a youth volunteer will demonstrate the process one would experience if arrested for underage drinking and DWI related charges.