This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Community Corner

Enfield Together Coalition Hits the Ground to Prevent Underage Drinking during National Alcohol Awareness Month

Floor decals in liquor stores urge adults, older friends, and siblings to “love them enough to say no”

To bring the message of National Alcohol Awareness Month (April) home, Enfield Together Coalition (ETC) placed full color, large-scale floor decals in liquor stores around town. This initiative was designed to reinforce the message to parents and older siblings that 65% of youth nationwide get their alcohol from friends and family. (Source: The Century Council.) The decals feature the message, “Love them enough to say “NO!” Don’t provide alcohol to teens.”

“We are literally hitting the ground and using floor decals to get our message out,” said Jean Haughey, director of Town of Enfield Youth Services. “By partnering with liquor retailers, we are increasing awareness of the issue at the point of purchase with a visual reminder for adults not to purchase or provide alcohol to minors. We couldn’t be happier with the response from our business community and appreciate their support.”

Participating retailers include:

Freshwater Package Store, 920 Enfield Street

Hazardville Package Store, 306 Hazard Avenue

Liquor Warehouse, 496 Enfield Street

State Line Package Store, 11 Enfield Street

Harry’s Discount Liquor, 54 Hazard Avenue

Jug Shop, 80 Hazard Avenue K & R, 552 Hazard Avenue

Red Tops Wine & Liquors, 155 Hazard Avenue

lil Buddy Mini Mart, 284 North Maple Street

In a recent retailer compliance check, 91% of Enfield liquor retailers were found to be enforcing Connecticut’s underage drinking laws by carding minors who attempted to purchase alcohol. Likewise, a 2012 study found that fifty percent of Enfield youth surveyed acquire alcohol from friends, older siblings, and others who purchase it for them. (Source: Enfield Together Coalition).

“Our retailers are doing the right thing and remaining diligent about this issue. This campaign is targeting friends and family and urging them to do the same. It’s up to all of us to keep alcohol out of the hands of teens,” stated Haughey.

The decals are installed on sidewalks leading into liquor stores and inside the stores near the cash register. “Because they appear on the floor, they trigger a physical response of stopping short in order to not walk on them,” Haughey explained. “This makes people stop, look down, read them, and think twice before buying alcohol for teens.”

Funding for the decals comes from a Partnership for Success grant awarded to the Town of Enfield Youth Services for the Enfield Together Coalition’s prevention activities. This funding comes from the Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) on behalf of the Governor’s office. The federal funding for this initiative comes from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

Anyone interested in participating in the decal program or getting involved with the Enfield Together Coalition may visit www.EnfieldTogether.org.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?