Valley High School Hosts First"Booze and Cruise, You'll Lose" Program

January 25, 2001

The Booze and Cruise, You'll Lose program made their first ever visit to Valley High School on Thursday afternoon. More than 190 students, teachers, and even some parents gathered in the school's auditorium and received some advice from Wheeling Nailer Derek Smith, attorney Rich Wilson formerly of the personal injury law firm of Gold, Khourey and Turak, and 1st Sgt. John D. Gruzinskas of the West Virginia State Police.
Wilson, also the program's coordinator, 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, Booze and Cruise, You'll Lose t-shirts, can coolers, water bottles, and Ted Musgrave and Geoffrey Bodine autographed NASCAR items.
Wilson points out, "Many young adults, and older adults for that matter, don't realize that you can be arrested for DUI without actually consuming an alcoholic beverage." He states 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." "For someone under the age of 21, it doesn't take much, the level is 0.02." Wilson comments, "Why anyone would increase the risk by drinking then trying to drive is beyond me."
Sergeant Gruzinskas, a 22-year veteran of the West Virginia State Police, explained that many DUI arrests don't start out as DUI arrests, but as minor traffic violations. "Many times we'll pull someone over because they have a tail light out, then we notice the smell of alcohol and that's when our attention shifts to a possible DUI arrest", says Sgt. Gruzinskas. He showed students first-hand what an actual DUI stop entailed. With the use of "Drunk Goggles", one student simulated being intoxicated and was taken through a number of field sobriety tests. After just a few minutes, the student was handcuffed and "off" to jail. Gruzinskas adds, "Sure the glasses are a lot of fun, and it's a lot of fun to see your classmates stumble and not be able to walk a straight line while we're here, but when we're out on the road and detect alcohol, it's all business. It's not a game when you drink and drive."

Wheeling Nailer Derek Smith echoed the words of Wilson and Gruzinskas that drinking and driving can kill. The students were attentive as Smith told them a story about a friend who lost a loved one to a drunk driver. "I wouldn't wish that feeling on anyone," Smith offered. He added, "I learned firsthand at the age of 17 that drinking and driving can kill, and losing a family member because someone didn't make the safe decision and not drink and drive is a tragedy that I don't want to experience and I hope you'll never have to either."

Smith also explained to the students that the Wheeling Nailers hockey organization is committed to providing safer roads for everyone. "As players, if we find ourselves in a situation where we do not have a safe ride home, or are unable to drive, all we do is call a representative of our organization and they will come get us." Smith continues, "That's the same type of agreement you should live by."
The Booze and Cruise, You'll Lose team has been educating individuals about the legal and financial consequences of driving under the influence for the past 9 years in a fun, fast-paced environment. OVAC high schools on their 2001 tour include, Beallsville, Frontier, Monroe Central (Assembly), Monroe Central (Mock Crash & Trial), Weirton Madonna, and Wheeling Park. For more information, or to arrange a visit to your school or organization, contact the law offices of Gold, Khourey and Turak at (304) 845-9750, or toll free at (800) 388-2529.