Booze & Cruise, You’ll Lose
visits Mt. de Chantal

The Booze and Cruise, You’ll Lose program began their 2005 tour of Ohio Valley high schools with a stop at Mt. de Chantal Visitation Academy on Wednesday. A crowd of more than 80 students, parents, and teachers gathered in the school’s music hall and received some valuable advice from Wheeling Nailers Pascal Morency and James Laux, attorney Christopher Turak from Gold, Khourey & Turak, and Trooper Jason Laing of the West Virginia State Police.

Turak split the students into two teams and asked a variety of questions from the Booze Buster Quiz concerning the legal, financial, and personal consequences of drinking and driving. Those who participated in the discussion were awarded prizes including, tickets to a Nailer game, Booze and Cruise, You’ll Lose t-shirts, and mouse pads. Ned Bowdern, “The Voice of the Nailers,” emceed the program and assisted the students in answering the questions.

Turak emphasized the importance of understanding the consequences and making safe decisions. “Most young people, and adults for that matter, don’t realize that it doesn’t take much alcohol to put them over the limit.” Turak continued, “For someone under the age of 21, the limit is .02, which is any detectable amount of alcohol.” He continued, “When you have a DUI on your record, it stays with you, and has a tremendous negative professional and personal effect on your life, including an increase in your insurance rates, if you’re able to get insurance, and the ability for you to get a job.”

West Virginia State Trooper, Jason Laing explained that it’s not difficult to detect a drunk driver. “The reality is that intoxicated individuals do stupid things, and for those of you who have been around someone who has had too much to drink, you know what I’m talking about.” Laing continued, “Unfortunately, these people also think they can drive a vehicle safely, which is not the case. I’ve witnessed drunk drivers take out utility poles, mail boxes, lamp posts, you name it. Contrary to what many people might think, we are not ‘out to get you’”, said Laing. “Our #1 goal is to keep our highways safe, and that includes keeping drunk drivers off the roads.”

Trooper Laing then selected a volunteer, Mount teacher Mr. Hughes, to participate in a mock D.U.I. arrest. With the use of “fatal vision goggles,” Mr. Hughes simulated .10 intoxication and was taken through a series of field sobriety tests by Laing. After not being able to properly perform the test, Trooper Laing handcuffed Mr. Hughes and placed him “under arrest.”

Wheeling Nailer Pascal Morency emphasized that while getting a D.U.I. is a bad thing, it doesn’t necessarily happen to bad people. “You look like a bunch of good people, but if you’re thinking that it can’t happen to you, you’re wrong. It can happen to anyone, even those that have a good dad, mom, and family.” Morency encouraged, “Please be safe and find an alternative to drinking and driving.”

Wheeling Nailer James Laux explained that drinking and driving, or getting into a vehicle with someone who is intoxicated, is easy to avoid. “There’s always a better option, all it takes is a little foresight on your part.” Laux continued, “All it takes is one person in the group not to drink, and for them to drive.”

At the close of the program, Turak recognized Aubrei Clegg for her effort on the Booze Buster Quiz, which each student completed prior to the program. “Normally I have a few names selected, someone who put forth a lot of effort on the quiz, and a few who put very little effort into answering the questions. You are to be commended, as everyone put forth a tremendous effort.

A special thanks to Dr. Elizabeth Johnen and Key Club Executives, Kellen CalingerBrittany Velazquez, Jessika Reddy, Anda Weaver, Karen Oakland, and Aislynn Porter for helping organize the program at the school. For more information on the Booze and Cruise, You’ll Lose program, contact the law offices of Gold, Khourey and Turak at (304) 845-9750.