Union Local High School Hosts
First Booze and Cruise, You'll Lose Assembly

March 13, 2002

More than 100 Union Local High School Juniors and Senior gathered in the school's theatre yesterday afternoon to hear an important message from one of the most traveled programs in the Ohio Valley - "Booze and Cruise, You'll Lose".

Former Gold, Khourey & Turak attorney and Booze and Cruise, You'll Lose program coordinator Rich Wilson quizzed the students on their knowledge of the effects of alcohol, and discussed the legal, financial, and personal 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, tickets to a Nailer's game and more.

One of the more important issues of today's program did not focus on those who were in attendance, but their younger brothers and sisters. Wilson pointed out, "The number one cause of death of those aged birth to 14 months is traffic crashes, and that doesn't even consider alcohol being a factor." He continued, "Statistics show that 2 out of 5 Americans will be affected by an alcohol related crash. When you combine that statistic with those aged birth to 14 months, these folks don't have a chance." Wilson offered to the students, "What would you say to your friend Monday at school after killing their younger brother or sister over the weekend? The statistics are already bad enough, let's not make them worse."

1st Sergeant John D. Gruzinskas, a 24-year veteran of the West Virginia State Police may have provided the most memorable demonstration of the program. By using "Fatal Vision", or "drunk goggles", a student simulated being intoxicated. Sgt. Gruzinskas took a student through the rigors of a DUI arrest, including questioning and field sobriety tests. The student, who failed the first test administered to her, was then handcuffed and "off" to prison. Gruzinskas commented,"The kids always enjoy seeing their classmates stumble and getting handcuffed, but the reality is that these folks are actually on the road driving with you, me, our families, and other innocent drivers." He adds, "Some people don't realize that choosing to drink and drive not only effects the driver, but can even cause harm to others - including death." He reminded folks that "Alcohol is a drug, and anything that is considered a drug is going to make you react differently, especially when you're driving."

Current Wheeling Nailer and ex-Florida Panther and Pittsburgh Penguin, Chris Wells, also participated in the mock arrest. The 6'6" Wells with arms waving like an airplane could barely keep his balance when "performing" the heal-to-toe test. Wells offered, "This is why we are here today. Drinking and driving is not a safe choice. As you found out today, people lose lives because of individuals not making the safe choice. I personally have not lost anyone as result of a drunk driver, but one of my best friends decided to go out the night before a game and got pulled over. The next day just before the start of a game, officials and representatives from the team came into the locker room and informed him the he was being arrested and taken to jail. Not only was the incident embarrassing, but he also had to pay thousands of dollars in fines."

In conclusion, Wilson explained, "The purpose of our program is for you to not only make safe decisions for yourself, but also for those around you, including your family members, friends, and so on. Doing so will help save innocent lives from being lost."

For more information on the Booze and Cruise, You'll Lose program, please contact the law firm of Gold, Khourey & Turak at (304) 845-9750.