More Than 280 Students Attend Booze and Cruise, You'll Lose Program. Attorney Asks Students To "Make The Safe Decision"

January 11, 2001

The Booze and Cruise, You'll Lose program began their 2001 tour of OVAC high schools this afternoon with a stop at Frontier High School. More than 280 students, teachers, and some parents were in attendance for the school's first-ever "Booze and Cruise, You'll Lose" assembly, sponsored by the personal injury law firm of Gold, Khourey & Turak, the West Virginia State Police, the Wheeling Nailers, and WTOV - TV 9.

Frontier High School students were given the opportunity to participate in a question and answer session, an arrest demonstration, and several other activities. Those individuals who participated and responded correctly to questions concerning the effects and consequences of drinking and driving, were awarded prizes. Prizes included Wheeling Nailer tickets, Booze and Cruise, You'll Lose t-shirts, water bottles, can coolers, tote bags, a hockey stick autographed by Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Jon Sebastian Aubin, and autographed items from NASCAR drivers Geoffrey Bodine, Ted Musgrave, and Crew Chief Larry McReynolds. One lucky student, Lenny Seevers, was awarded the autographed hockey stick, tickets to a Nailers game, a tote bag, t-shirt, and a variety of other items because of his responses on the "Booze Buster Quiz", which all students take prior to the assembly.

"Frontier High School should be commended for their efforts today, but Lenny's responses go right to the heart of our program", says program coordinator and former attorney with Gold, Khourey & Turak Rich Wilson. "He put a lot of time and effort in answering the questions on the quiz, and we appreciate his honesty." Wilson told the audience, "For those of you that have not been effected by a someone who chose to drink and then get behind the wheel, look around you. A lot of your peers have, don't think it can't happen to you." Wilson added, "Make the safe decision and don't drink and drive, and don't let others make that mistake either. When you make the safe decision, you're saving a life. It might be your own, a neighbor, or someone innocent person you don't even know."

1st Sergeant John D. Gruzinskas of the West Virginia State Police informed the students of the arrest procedure involved with a DUI, and performed field sobriety tests on several students. The students wore "Fatal Vision Goggles" to simulate being intoxicated, and were "arrested" shortly after the tests. Sergeant Gruzinskas offered this advice to the crowd, "We are all born with common sense, use it. If you have something to drink, don't drive, and never get into a car with someone who has been drinking."

Both Chris Newans and Buddy Smith explained to the crowd the decisions and choices they've made to get them to the level they are today involved choosing between hockey and alcohol. "Our choices were not easy decisions to make", offered Newans. "But when it came down to it, alcohol was not part of the picture." Newans continued, "We are not here for us, Buddy and I are here because we believe in this program and we hope you'll learn from our experiences, and from what the other gentlemen shared with you today that drinking and driving can kill."

Betsy Hupp, teacher and Teen Institute Advisor at the high school, was impressed with the reaction of the students, "You could actually see students talking amongst themselves about the issues. The program appears to have gotten through to our students."

The program has visits scheduled at Valley, Beallsville, Weirton Madonna, Monroe Central (assembly), Monroe Central (mock crash & trial) and Wheeling Park this school year. For more information on the "Booze and Cruise, You'll Lose program, or to arrange a visit to your school or organization, contact the law offices of Gold, Khourey & Turak at (304) 845-9750 or toll free at (800) 388-2529.