Yellow Alert: Teens stick to prevention

Members of the Health Media Club of Hood River Valley High School conducted their annual “bottle tagging” activity at three stores where alcohol is sold.

The tagging campaign is usually conducted on Super Bowl weekend, statistically the three-day period with the highest number of alcohol-related accidents and traffic citations or arrests.

The students created an explanatory sign that reads:

“This activity is designed to raise awareness around the importance of not providing alcohol to minors.”

The stickers remind store clients that serving or providing alcohol to minors is a crime punishable by a fine of $500.

The sign adds, “Providing alcohol to minors is illegal. If someone under 21 asks you to purchase alcohol for them, please refuse.”

This is the fifth year the Health Media students have tagged bottles and beer pack packaging. This year, the stickers bear the phone number 541-386-3335, the contact of number of the club, and advisor Belinda Ballah.

Advisors Sky Vaday and Gabe Judah assisted, and the dozen or so students made their rounds aboard a CAT bus.

The Health Media students were counseled to tell customers who ask, “We are tagging the alcohol as a way to encourage people not to drink and drive,” or “We are reminding people of the consequences lf providing alcohol to minors.”

Ballah said the program has had “great cooperation” from the store owners. This year, in addition to Rosauers and Safeway, the students will also tag alcohol at Marketa Guadelajara on the Heights.

“They’re thinking outside the box, going beyond the larger supermarkets and they (Marketa owners) are really supportive,” Ballah said.

The 2012 sticker was in the shape of a stop sign; this year, the triangular yellow “Yield” emblem.

“We’re trying a new traffic sign this year,” Ballah said.