Weirton Madonna Hosts
Booze and Cruise, You’ll Lose Program

February 22, 2007
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The Booze and Cruise, You’ll Lose program continued their tour through the Ohio Valley yesterday afternoon with a visit at Weirton Madonna High School. More than 100 students greeted the program by chanting, “Nailers, Nailers, Nailers,” as the participants entered the gymnasium. The program sponsors include the Wheeling Nailers, West Virginia State Police, WTOV TV 9, and Gold, Khourey & Turak. The goal of the program is to encourage teenagers to make safe decisions when it comes to drug use and driving.

Jeff Oechslein, meteorologist with WTOV TV 9, and Brendan Burke, the “Voice of the Nailers,” served as emcees of the program and went out into the audience and asked the students various questions concerning the legal and financial consequences of drinking and driving. Those who participated in the discussion were awarded Nailer tickets or a Booze and Cruise, You’ll Lose t-shirt delivered by Wheeling Nailer players, Curtiss Patrick and Chris Brooks.

Christopher Turak, an attorney with the law firm of Gold, Khourey & Turak and also the program’s coordinator, teamed with Cpl. Jason Laing, a 13-year veteran of the West Virginia State Police to supply down-to-earth, honest answers and explanations to each question.

Turak pointed out, “Many young adults, and older adults for that matter, don’t realize that you can be arrested for DUI without having consumed any alcohol.” He stated that, “Besides the obvious use of drugs such as marijuana, anyone who takes a prescription medication, then decides to drive, runs the risk of being arrested for driving under the influence.” Turak continued “Although the law says 0.08 for adults, the reality is that you can register below that level and still be arrested if your ability to drive a vehicle is impaired, that’s the main factor in determining whether you can safely drive or not.”

Cpl. Laing noted, “Although there are many rumors floating around on how to beat a breathalyzer test, they are just that, rumors. As none of them work.” Laing explained of the protocol he has to follow when administering a breathalyzer test, and shared some stories of what some individuals claimed to work. “I’ve witnessed everything from mouthwash to a handful of pennies, barbecue sauce, you name it,” Laing shared. “And I can tell you that sometimes putting those things in your mouth will only make your breath stink, and will do nothing to defeat the test.”

The next part of the program was a mock arrest. Turak selected Bianca Biondillo, a student a Madonna, out of the audience to participate in a mock arrest with Cpl. Laing. With the use of fatal vision goggles, Biondillo simulated 0.10 intoxication and was taken through a series of field sobriety tests by Laing. Throughout the test, Laing described some of the things he looks for during the tests and encouraged the students to take make their own observations. At the end of the testing, Cpl. Laing determined that she had failed, and handcuffed Biondillo and read her her rights as the student body watched.

Jeff Oechslein and the Wheeling Nailers offered some parting word to the students. Oechslein, who is on the morning news each weekday, encouraged the students to stay off the news. “All I know is, when you’re on the news, it’s a bad thing, unless your doing the weather,” said Oechslein. He continued, “Use your head when your in out in these situations and make safe decisions.”

Wheeling Nailer Chris Brooks, a Yale graduate, encouraged the students to consider the consequences of their actions. “I’ve seen where players have received a DUI and it ruins your life, both personally and professionally. Just don’t do it, be safe.”

Burke, the “Voice of the Nailers,” might have stunned the students the most with his comments. “I am 22-years old and have never had a drink of alcohol in my life,” Burke shared with the students. “So don’t think you have to have alcohol in your life, because you don’t. There are many more things to do in life without feeling pressured to drink, it’s up to you and I’m proof it can be done.”

Weirton Madonna sophomore, Tony Bartoli, was selected as the Booze Buster Quiz winner based on his efforts on the Booze Buster Quiz. He was recognized during the program and awarded tickets to an upcoming Nailers game and a team autographed hockey stick.