Wheeling Park Students Reminded
Drinking and Driving Effects Everyone

February 7, 2002

More than 180 students from Wheeling Park High School's Students Against Drunk Driving (SADD) organization 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, autographed NASCAR memorabilia, tickets to a Wheeling Nailer's game, can coolers, a Pittsburgh Penguins hat, 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 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", student Jesse Longenette simulated being intoxicated. Sgt. Gruzinskas took Longenette through the rigors of a DUI arrest, including questioning and field sobriety tests. Longenette failed the heal-to-toe test and was 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 Dan Kopec and Ken Tasker echoed the words of Wilson and Gruzinskas. Tasker offered, "The effects are real. I know of one person who was drunk and got into a fight and killed someone. He's now in prison for manslaughter. Another person I knew decided to drive drunk and ended up hitting a tree and taking his life. I think you can see how these results could effect not only yourself, but families and friends."

Kopec pointed out that the effects go beyond the obvious. "Especially in a small town, such as Wheeling, most everyone is going to either know you or the person that is impacted. In those situations, the community as a whole is devastated."

The Booze and Cruise, You'll Lose team has made stops at Frontier, Oak Glen, Monroe Central, Weirton Madonna, River, and Weir High Schools, and have scheduled visits at John Marshall, Shenadoah, and Union Local in the next few months.