Alcopop is a term describing certain flavored alcoholic beverages, including:
1. malt beverages to which various fruit juices or other flavorings have been added,
2. beverages containing wine to which ingredients such as fruit juice or other flavorings have been added (wine coolers), or
3. beverages containing distilled alcohol and added ingredients such as fruit juices or other flavorings.
Alcopops are often marketed to underage youth. The Sunnyside Youth Council has conducted peer surveys at Sunnyside High to assess attitudes and beliefs around Alcopops and has also conducted observations in corner stores around the high school. Observations revealed that along with an oversaturation of alcohol advertising, alcopops are often placed among non-alcoholic beverages.
On Thursday, May 6th, the Sunnyside Leadership Council took the Alcopops campaign to the next step by distributing pledges to merchants. The young people received two pledges from corner stores merchants close to their high school. The pledge states that store owners agree to not serve alcohol to minors and continue efforts to battle underage drinking.
As a result of the council's efforts, the Sunnyside High School principal established a new policy stating that all faculty members must be able to identify alcoholic energy drinks and must actively ensure that students do not bring alcoholic beverages of any kind onto campus.
