Wheeling Park High School Hosts
Booze and Cruise, You'll Lose Assembly

February 6, 2001

More than 150 students and teachers of Wheeling Park High School gathered in the school's theatre this 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 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-shirts, water bottles, autographed NASCAR memorabilia, tickets to a Wheeling Nailer's game, can coolers, a Wheeling Nailer's autographed hockey stick, 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." He continued, "Many of you are at that age where you'll be asked to pick up or drop off your brother or sister from the babysitter. I ask you to make the safe decision and don't drink and drive. The statistics are already bad enough, let's not make them worse."
1st Sergeant John D. Gruzinskas, a 22-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 senior student, who failed the first test administered to him, 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."

Wheeling Nailers Jason Hamilton and Jean-Philippe (J.P.) Soucy explained to the students that they did not get to the level they are in hockey by making bad decisions. Soucy offered, "I understand that if I make the wrong decisions, including drinking and driving, I'm headed back to Canada - where I'm from." He continued, "I enjoy playing hockey here in the states, that's all I've wanted to do, and I wouldn't have that if I decided to drink and drive."
Hamilton encouraged the students to be safe and think before you go out. "It's a lot safer to take a cab, or to call another player or a friend to come pick you up if you've been drinking." He added, "Just think of the consequences both legally and financially, and make the safe decision - don't drink and drive."

Kelli Olexia, WTOV TV-9, the newest member of the Booze and Cruise, You'll Lose team echoed the words of the two young hockey players. "I learned at a young age that drinking and driving can kill." Olexia explains, "I had a friend who was killed because someone else decided to drink and drive. If you're not going to think about yourself and not drink and drive, at least think about the other innocent people on the road."

Wheeling Park is the third OVAC high school the program has visited this year. The Booze and Cruise, You'll Lose team has already made stops at Frontier and Valley High Schools, and have scheduled visits for Beallsville, Monroe Central (assembly), Monroe Central (mock crash & trial), and Weirton Madonna. 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.