By Alenka Cook and Mary Mansour

A Medway student group called STARS (Students Thriving and Resisting Substances) is

bringing awareness of dangerous products from Medway to Boston through advocacy and

Project Sticker Shock. STARS is a student-led group part of the ‘SUP Medway (substance use

prevention) coalition to help young residents of Medway avoid substance use, such as vaping,

nicotine pouches, alcohol, and other types of drugs. SUP Medway aspires to empower local

youth and create better alternatives for thriving teens.

Project Sticker Shock, in partnership with local liquor and convenience stores, is when the

students of the coalition place stickers on alcoholic products as a way to prevent adults from

buying alcohol for those underage. The effects of alcohol on the teenage brain can create life-

long health conditions since the brain is still developing at this time. These student-designed

stickers have messages like “Don’t fuel underage drinking” and “Protect our Teens” to help

those buying alcohol realize the gravity of the situation. The goal of Project Sticker Shock is to

prevent underage drinking by urging adults NOT to buy alcohol for those under 21.

This same student group recently visited the state capitol as a part of ENUFF (Ending Nicotine

Use For the Future) Day, which is to advocate for nicotine prevention. Accompanied by ‘SUP

Medway staff, Stephanie Simeon and Catherine Grella, the STARS student group met with Rep.

Roy and got a personal tour of the House of Representatives Chamber in the Massachusetts

State House. They enlightened Rep. Roy of the ways young people are exposed to addictive

drugs and educated him of a concerning emerging threat: nicotine pouches. The availability and

discrete use of these pouches, made popular by the brand Zyn, combined with peer pressure

may be leading to a growth in the number of nicotine users. They shared how ‘SUP student

intern, Victoria Bullard, created Quit Kits containing tools and resources to support a young

person to quit nicotine, yet it is even better if we can prevent young people from ever starting to

use addictive nicotine.

It is up to adults to keep age restricted products like alcohol and nicotine locked and away from

adolescents and to support those who are trying to quit. ‘SUP Medway and the STARS group

wish all graduates safe and sober celebrations; Your brain depends on it! For more information

visit www.SUPMedway.com.