The Evanston Substance Abuse Prevention (ESAP) Coalition will visit local retail liquor establishments, and other concerned businesses on Thursday, April 6th from 4:30-7:30 P.M. to hang posters, place decals on cooler doors, post bottle tags on alcohol packaging and distribute coasters reminding patrons of the risks when purchasing alcohol for minors. The "YOUR ACTIONS MATTER!" campaign materials were created by the Illinois Liquor Control Commission (ILCC) to remind adults that preventing underage drinking is everyone's responsibility. 

YOUR ACTIONS MATTER! is a statewide campaign, sponsored by the ILCC's Don't Be Sorry campaign, and carry's a positive message serving as a reminder that the vast majority of adults in Illinois do not provide alcohol to minors. Preventing underage drinking is everyone's responsibility, and adults, youth, law enforcement and retail stores all need to be part of the solution.

The ESAP Coalition’s mission is to increase the health of Evanston youth by preventing alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use through community-level strategies. The coalition's Alcohol Committee and its volunteers, including the Evanston Police Department, Evanston Township High School, and the Institute for Therapy through the Arts are implementing Evanston's 2017 YOUR ACTIONS MATTER! campaign. 

ESAP Coalition strategies are informed by local assessment. Data collected from Evanston youth show that adult provision of alcohol for youth is a concern in the community. According to results from the 2016 Illinois Youth Survey, most local youth who drink alcohol obtain it from at least one of the following sources: a knowing parent, another knowing adult, an older sibling, or a stranger who purchased it for them. The YOUR ACTIONS MATTER! campaign hopes to encourage adults to think twice before making it easier for youth to access alcohol.

The following Evanston businesses have agreed to participate in this year's campaign: D&D Finer Foods, Evanston 1st Liquors, Jewel-Osco (on Chicago Av.), Buffalo Joe's, LaMacchina, Smylie Brothers Brewing Co., The Celtic Knot, Tommy Nevin's Pub, Pete Miller's Seafood & Prime Steak, Prairie Moon, Whole Foods Market, Flat Top Grill, Chili's, Cheesie's Pub & Grub, Lulu's, Taco Diablo, Ace Hardware, Other Brother Coffee Bar, Dave's New Kitchen, Shell Gas Station (on Oakton St.) Cross Rhodes, Lou Malnati's, Bar Louie, Fire House Grill, Gigio's and World of Beer. The ESAP Coalition thanks these businesses for their commitment to keeping Evanston youth alcohol-free.

To learn more about the "YOUR ACTIONS MATTER!" campaign or to become involved, please contact the ESAP Coalition Alcohol Committee Chair, Julia Brownfield at brownfield@peerservices.org call 847-492-1778 or visit the ESAP Coalition online at www.esapcoalition.org.