Photo Provided Wheeling Nailers forward Peter Laviolette III wears simulation goggles to mimic intoxication while performing a test administered by Trooper Greg Scalley of the Steubenville Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol during a presentation of “Booze and Cruise, You’ll Lose” at Buckeye Local High School on Tuesday. The campaign uses interactive games and messages to stress the importance of making good decisions.

CONNORVILLE — The “Booze and Cruise, You’ll Lose” campaign made a stop at Buckeye Local High School on Tuesday, giving students a lesson on good choices with a mix of interactive games and prizes.

Representatives of the Moundsville-based law firm Gold, Khourey and Turak, the Ohio State Highway Patrol, the Wheeling Nailers and WTOV-TV, which sponsor the program in addition to the West Virginia State Police, addressed seniors and a few juniors and the event was provided by the school Positive Behaviors Interventions and Supports committee.

Teens took part in a Kahoots! interactive game that they played with their phones and answered a series of true-or-false questions based on laws. Among them was whether someone could be charged with drunk driving while not operating a motor vehicle — the answer is yes, if the person were operating a boat or other apparatus. Another queried whether charges for minors would disappear when they turned 18. Put simply, no. Students earned hats, T-shirts and tickets to Nailers games for their participation and senior Sydney Snyder received all three plus a hockey stick autographed by the team.

Christian Turak, an attorney at GKT, said “Booze and Cruise, You’ll Lose” has been held since 1996 and visited schools throughout Eastern Ohio and Northern West Virginia. While there are some fun and games involved, a serious message was also being shared.

“It’s about drinking and driving and driving under the influence. My goal is to provide information, so when they face adult situations, they have the information to make the best decision,” Turak said. “But we do it in a fun way that connects with everybody.”

WTOV-TV meteorologist Jeff Oechslein, Wheeling Nailers forward Peter Laviolette III and announcers D.J. Abisalih and Isaac Basinger also participated in the event, interacting with teens during the game and sharing some advice. Trooper Greg Scalley of the Steubenville Post of the OSHP answered questions regarding laws during the game and also responded to inquiries from the audience.

Officials said blood alcohol concentration tests could be refused, but it could result in a license suspension. Other points of note were that minors’ charges could carry through adulthood and have further consequences, such as affecting potential jobs.

The teens were advised to look out for not only themselves. but also their friends in order to avoid danger and bad decisions. Finally, student John Bennington and Laviolette donned special goggles that simulated impairment while Scalley led them through a series of tests, such as walking a straight line and balancing on one foot. Officials said the program was lighthearted but the impact of the lesson was strong.

“I know what it’s like to get out and be with friends,” said Laviolette. “My friends and I look out for each other.”

He said situations will arise in the future where the teens may become intoxicated, but they should take alternative action and order an Uber, ride with a designated driver or even call their parents.

“I think it’s important. You are at an important stage of your life,” he said. “Be safe, look out for each other and be accountable for your actions.”

Oechslein told the story of a neighbor who faced a successful future as a college athlete, only to be seriously injured at the hands of a drunk driver. He said actions have consequences and the key was to make smart decisions.

“You are at the age where you are making choices. It will not be a matter of if, but when.”

Turak closed the event by saying it can happen to anyone.

“A lot of people think it does not happen. It does not impact me or someone I know,” he concluded. “It does happen. It’s here in our community and that’s why we’re here talking to you. You are adults now. You are high school seniors and going out on your own. You need to make adult decisions and your decisions will impact you for the rest of your life.”