About a dozen businesses in Cedar Rapids have been passing out fliers this graduation season, encouraging graduating seniors to think and not drink. Beth Goldberg is one of the people behind the effort. Late spring and summer are “high times” for underage kids to drink, and Goldberg hopes the fliers help spread the message that drinking can bring severe consequences. The Cedar Rapids-area businesses handing out the pamphlets cater to graduates and their families, places like bakeries and party shops. Jayne Perensky runs a business that sells everything from balloons to paper cups for decorating a graduation party.”We want everyone to have a very happy and safe graduation,” she says. The fliers offer tips to graduates on how to have fun without drinking alcohol. There’s also a warning to people who are over the age of 21. The fliers spell out the penalties for buying liquor or beer for underage kids. Starting July 1st, the fine doubles for kids under the age of 21 who are caught with beer or caught drunk.
