STOP Underage Drinking Project

The Johnson County STOP Underage Drinking Project, Inc. is committed to providing youth, parents and the community with factual data, education, prevention and intervention tools to reduce the incidence of underage drinking and related tragedies

STOP is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization comprised of concerned professionals and youth volunteering their time to focus on eliminating underage drinking, and has been in existence since 1998.  Over the years, members have been active in presenting underage drinking prevention programs to youth, parents and adults in the Johnson County, Kansas community.

Youth, parents, teachers, professionals, concerned individuals, anyone interested in making a difference is encouraged to jump on board and become a part of STOP.  There are no membership requirements or dues, just the desire and willingness to make a positive impact on the issue.

STOP meets the second Thursday of each month at the Johnson County Sunset Drive Office Building (11811 S. Sunset Drive, Olathe, KS 66061).  Meetings begin at 3:30 pm, and consist of updates on the strategic plan, upcoming events, activity planning, and roundtable sharing.  Anyone interested is more than welcome to attend.

STOP also accepts donations and financial contributions to assist with program activities.

The flagship presentation delivered by STOP is known as “The Wrong of Passage”, and has been delivered to almost 30,000 Johnson County residents.  The presentation consists of a locally developed video that makes the case that underage drinking negatively affects the community, and should not be considered a right of passage.  The video attempts to change the norm of those viewing by explaining the consequences of participating in underage drinking activities, and seems to make an impact on the audience due to the fact that the individual stories told are true and involve actual Johnson County residents and neighbors.  A panel presentation from local experts in the fields of prevention, court services, law enforcement, EMT, school personnel, and others follows with an opportunity to ask questions from the audience.

STOP has initiated many other prevention activities, including:

• Youth Leadership Summit
• Public Service Announcement (PSA) Development Campaign
• Alcohol Compliance Checks at On and Off Premise Liquor Retailers
• Providing scholarships to high school seniors for college
• Providing evidence-based curricula to schools
• Prom time activities, and many more.

Please visit www.jocostop.org for more information.