By Julie Pinardi
The passage of Initiative 1183 that privatizes the sale of spirits will result in many new stores selling hard liquor. This change provides an opportunity to involve local stores in reducing alcohol advertising and its availability to young people. As the advisor of the high school leadership and prevention group Point Blank, I welcomed this opportunity, and Point Blank participated in a nation wide program called Let’s Draw the Line Between Youth and Alcohol.
The first step of this program focuses on media literacy and understanding the role tobacco and alcohol marketing can contribute to its early use by youth. The next step is to conduct a Community Assessment of Neighborhood Stores (CANS survey). The group completed this step and compared it to the criteria necessary to be considered a Retailer that Draws the Line Between Youth and Alcohol store. These stores were asked to limit their ads, choose appropriate ad placement, display alcohol appropriately, and prevent underage purchases and theft. Point Blank then presented each store with a certificate, thanking them for taking significant steps, as retailers, to participate in the program.
It is critical to see retailers as potentially important partners in preventing youth access to tobacco and alcohol. It has become obvious to our Point Blank members that the local grocery stores and convenient stores understand that obligation. Point Blank Orcas students along with their advisor, were in awe of the wonderful community in which students are growing up.
Please help Point Blank in extending a huge THANK YOU to Island Market, Orcas Village Store, Orcas Home Grown Market, Country Corner, and The Village Stop for participating in this project and taking the steps required to be a Retailer who Draws the Line Between Youth and Alcohol.
