Young Santa Monicans are leading the charge today in the launch of a playful Southern California-based underage drinking awareness campaign, with an afternoon event at ICE Santa Monica.
The campaign, called #ItsTooEasy is aimed at highlighting how easy it is for underage youth to obtain alcohol and what adults can and should be doing to prevent it.
#ItsTooEasy is a collaborative effort across three southern California counties, with today’s event beginning at 4.45pm and running through until 6pm.
The afternoon promises to be jam-packed with fun in an effort to highlight a serious situation, with photo booths, Zamboni rides and a cheer/chant rally.
Speakers at the event include Sergeant Rudy Flores, Community Affairs, Santa Monica Police Department, Gail Pinsker, Community and Public Relations Officer, Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District, youth from Santa Monica High School, and Sarah Blanch, Director, Westside Impact Project.
The #ItsTooEasy event is concurrent with a full social media launch that includes a website, Facebook page, youth-generated YouTube videos, and Instagram account showcasing fun youth photos that extend the campaign theme. The theme – centered around teens in Groucho Marx glasses – is meant to emphasize that youth aren’t adults.
Youth and others at the event will be taking photos at a photo booth and uploading them to #ItsTooEasy Facebook and Instagram pages.
To join in, head to Downtown Santa Monica ICE rink, 1324 5th Street.
