In rural communities oftentimes the phrase, "there's nothing to do around here" is a familiar phrase among teenagers, and you can't much blame them. When the closest mall is at least 30 miles away, their choices for entertainment and activities are extremely limited. The peer pressure for one to fit in is so intense that teenagers sometimes put themselves in dangerous situations without recognizing the consequences of their actions until it is too late.

On Wednesday afternoon, the Booze and Cruise, You'll Lose program visited with more than 150 juniors and seniors at Shenandoah High School to discuss the legal, personal, financial, and criminal consequences of drinking and driving. Sponsors of the program are Gold, Khourey & Turak, the Wheeling Nailers, the West Virginia State Police, and WTOV TV-9.

"We're not so naive to think that you're not going to be in a situation at some point, if not already, where you have to make a decision about drinking and driving, or getting in a car with someone who has been drinking," attorney Rich Wilson, formerly of Gold, Khourey & Turak now with Wilson Law Offices and one of the founders of the program, told the students. "We're here to encourage you to make the safe decision not to, and hope that you will help your peers make the safe decision when you're faced with that situation."

Wilson and Wheeling Nailer broadcaster, Ned Bowdern, quizzed the students on the legal, personal, financial, and criminal consequences of drinking and driving. Students who participated in the discussions were awarded one of a variety of prizes which included mouse pads, t-shirts, hockey tickets and more. Wheeling Nailer rookie, Brendon Hodge was on hand to distribute the prizes. Wilson and Bowdern touched upon a number of subjects including obtaining a D.U.I. without even being behind the wheel. Wilson explained, "Most people don't realize that if you give your keys to someone who has been drinking, and that person injures or kills somebody, that the penalties imposed on you are just as harsh as on the person driving the vehicle." He continued, "The best decision is to make the safe decision, for not only yourself, but also your friend and innocent people on the road."

Trooper 1 st Class Jason Laing of the West Virginia State Police explained to the students how most D.U.I. arrests occur. "I have a secret for you guys, most D.U.I. arrests start out as seemingly minor traffic violations," explained Trooper Laing. "Oftentimes I'll notice a flickering taillight, or maybe your taillight is burnt out, and my intention is to kindly let you know about the problem and encourage you to take care of it. However, in the process many time I'll notice a smell of alcohol, slurred speech, or blood shot eyes, and that's when my attention shifts to a possible D.U.I.."

Trooper Laing then took the students through the rigors of an actual D.U.I. arrest. With the use of "Fatal Vision Goggles," student Shauna Watson simulated being intoxicated and was taken through a variety of field sobriety tests. After failing several tests, Watson was handcuffed, "arrested" and "off" to jail. Wilson pointed out, "It's a lot of fun here in this setting, but Trooper Laing is all business out on the road. To think that there are people out on the road in this capacity is scary,"

Wheeling Nailer player, Brendon Hodge, echoed the words of Wilson and Laing. "I'm assuming a lot of you want to attend college and maybe thinking about getting into sports," said Hodge. "With a D.U.I., you'll probably loss your scholarship and financial aid, and if you're lucky, the school might still let you attend. One night of fun just isn't worth the risk of ruining the rest of your life," continued Hodge.

Bowdern, in his 9 th season of hockey broadcasting, provided examples how drinking and driving ended the careers of numerous hockey players. "I've seen many players with the potential to make it to the NHL only to have their careers ruined by a D.U.I. because no team wants the headaches," offered Bowdern. "In fact, for those players who have a D.U.I. and make it to the NHL, especially Canadian born players, they are told if they ever come back to Canada they will be arrested. Also, if they do leave the U.S., they are told they aren't allowed back into the country. You can see how that would effect their travel schedule and where they are allowed to play," explained Bowdern.

At the conclusion of the program, Wilson recognized student Amber Steed as the Booze Buster Quiz winner and awarded her a t-shirt, mouse pad, Nailer tickets, and a water bottle. "Amber took time to complete the quiz and share her feelings about drinking and driving," said Wilson. "It would have been easy for her to give into peer pressure and not take the quiz seriously, but she did, and we hope you won't give into peer pressure when your faced with a decision to drink and drive, or get into a vehicle with someone who has been drinking."