Monroe Central High School Hosts
Booze and Cruise, You'll Lose Program

February 13, 2002

More than 100 students gathered in the school's cafeteria yesterday afternoon to hear an important message from one of the most traveled programs in the Ohio Valley - "Booze and Cruise, You'll Lose". This marks the seventh Ohio Valley high school the program has visited this school year.

Gold, Khourey & Turak attorney Chris Turak quizzed the students on their knowledge of the effects of alcohol, and discussed the legal and financial consequences of being involved in a DUI arrest or crash. Those students who participated and correctly responded to his questions were rewarded with either a Booze and Cruise, You'll Lose t-shirt, mouse pad, autographed NASCAR item, tickets to a Wheeling Nailer's game, a Pittsburgh Penguins hat or a combination of items.

"We try and provide a fun and interactive program for the students, and try to stimulate discussion" says Turak. "Our program is different from any other in that we don't lecture the students." "We offer the them a chance to participate in various activities throughout the program, and the opportunity to win some great prizes."

Turak explained to the students that the laws for underage consumption are rigid. "Most people, adults included, do not realize that if you're under the age of 21, you are considered impaired if any measurable amount of alcohol is in your system." Turak continued, "It doesn't take much, one drink and you're over the limit."

First Sergeant John D. Gruzinskas of the West Virginia State Police may have provided the most memorable demonstration of the program. By using "Fatal Vision", or "drunk goggles", student Eric Brown simulated being intoxicated. Sgt. Gruzinskas took Brown through the rigors of a DUI arrest, including questioning and a field sobriety test. Brown failed the only test given to him, the heal-to-toe test, and he was "off" to jail.

Gruzinskas offered to the students, "Most people think that because I pull someone over for a burnt taillight, that doesn't give me the right to turn my attention to a possible D.U.I. arrest." He adds, "The fact is, that is how most D.U.I. arrest begin. The law permits me to use any of my five senses in the course of my stop to determine if someone is driving impaired."

Wheeling Nailers J.P. Soucy and Bruce Watson spoke to the students about how drinking and driving only one time can create problems for the rest of their lives. Watson shared, "It only takes one time to be pulled over and get a D.U.I.. From there, you are always going to be considered as a problem student, or in our case, a problem player." Soucy added, "It's simple, teams and colleges are not going to want to take a chance on admitting you or signing you to a contract with a D.U.I. on your record. It's a risk they're not going to take."