Bismarck Community Fighting Against Underage Drinking

Natural Grocers for the Sticker Shock Project

That's exactly what this is - a group of educated people, volunteers, and concerned friends and neighbors in our community whose goal is to let us know the true dangers of alcohol. Her name is Isabelle Ballalatak - SAP Specialist - Bismarck Burleigh Public Health. She has been there for 4 months - Substance Abuse Prevention. I can tell you this right now, our city is lucky to have this young lady and those who work alongside her. This Thursday ( January 4th ) at 2:30, an intelligent and caring awareness project kicks off at Natural Grocers.

"To educate adults on the consequences of providing alcohol to minors and start the conversation of underage drinking in the home"

I love this, the BMBHC Student Committee will have around 200 stickers with "... messages aimed at adults regarding underage drinking laws and consequences for providing alcohol to minors. Providing alcohol to a minor may result in fines of up to $3,000 and 365 days in jail. The stickers will be placed on products by members of the BMBHC Student Committee. The BMBHC Student Committee will also be placing Milk Tags on beverage products with the message, “Could their next drink be right next to the milk?”

So why is this so important you might ask?

Easy - the dangers of alcohol are many. Providing an environment where encouraging minors to drink is just flat-out hurting everyone in the long run. For one thing the obvious, it's illegal, the second part is that planting a seed in young people CAN eventually ruin their lives - is alcohol ever safe? NO

"Teenagers know how to get alcohol"

"Teenagers know how to get alcohol. When they first start drinking, most youths get alcohol from home, their friends, and other adults, with or without their parents' permission. According to the Federal Trade Commission, almost 72% of teens who drink get alcohol without having to pay for it. They get it from friends or family members, at parties, or by taking it without permission. And 57% of youth were able to sneak alcohol from their home or friend’s home (NDCRS, 2022)"  Here is my favorite part - Natural Grocers are welcoming this project, and let's hope that other businesses will take part in this as well. To learn more about the Sticker Shock Project, contact the Bismarck Burleigh Public Health Substance Abuse Prevention Program at 701-355-1594. 

Thank you, Isabelle, for your time on the phone today

she answered the one question I love to ask - "What's your favorite part of your job?" - I could hear the smile in her voice- "I get to meet with the community, from law enforcement to students, to volunteers..." .....AND in return, I might add, they all get to see someone who genuinely wants to make an impact in people's lives.