Westport Launches 'Liquor Sticker' Campaign To Fight Underage Drinking

WESTPORT, CT — In an effort to thwart underage drinking, Westport is launching a "Liquor Sticker" awareness campaign to get parents to make it harder for their children to access alcohol at home.

The campaign, in which five local liquor retailers are participating so far, places free awareness cards and stickers at the point of purchase. The stickers can be placed on top of bottles of alcohol to seal or "lock" the bottle, so to speak.

"When a teen sees it, they'll know that their parents will know if the bottle has been opened," Margaret Watt, co-chair of the Westport Prevention Coalition, told Patch. In addition to the coalition, Westport Youth Services, Positive Directions and the town's Human Services Department are also involved in the campaign.

Currently, the five local liquor stores carrying the awareness cards and stickers are:

• The Grapevine at King’s Corner
• Black Bear Wine & Spirits
• Kindred Spirits & Wine
• Green’s Farms Spirit Shop
• Dan’s Liquors

Ultimately, Watt said she hopes all the town's alcohol retailers will participate.

The campaign is based on similar efforts in Norwalk and Southington, with about half of Norwalk's 40 liquor stores participating.

"We're not trying to cut into their sales," Watt said about the liquor stores that participate. "We're trying to reach people. We want them to think when they buy alcohol, 'Can my child access this?'"

Teen drinking in Westport is a problem, as it is in other Connecticut communities. According to the 2021 Youth Survey conducted by Positive Directions on behalf of the coalition, Westport teens reported drinking at a rate higher than the 2019 state average, which was an eye-opener because the survey occurred during the pandemic when social opportunities were not as prevalent.

"There's a reason why alcohol and other substances such as nicotine and cannabis aren't legal for individuals under age 21," said Kevin Godburn, Westport Youth Services Director and co-chair of the coalition. "Substance use in the teen years can disrupt healthy brain development and create a potential for lifelong consequences, including a future of addiction and mental health problems."

Watt said that some parents are not even aware of the extent to which teens drink in Westport, so the free awareness flyers carry information about the 2021 Youth Survey, and also about Connecticut's Social Host Law.

Under the law, a parent is liable if underage drinking is going on in their home, even if the parent is unaware of it. The penalties include a fine of up to $2,000 per youth, and possibly a year in prison.

"We encourage residents to talk to their children about the dangers of alcohol and drug misuse and help spread the word to other community members," Godburn said.