Sequoyah County Undersheriff Charles House said the Sequoyah County Sheriff ’s Office and Sallisaw NOW Coalition teamed up on Monday to teach Gans Public School students on the dangers and consequences of drinking and driving.

“We do this every year at Gans School during the week of their prom,” House said. “They have us (Sheriff ’s Office) come out to talk to the students and educate them on the dangers of driving under the influence, and the consequences they may have to deal with if they choose to do so.”

The undersheriff said the department brings out “drunk goggles” for the students to wear, which simulate how things would look if they were driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

“This a program that we use where we take the carts out for them on a course and let them see what’s it like to drink and drive,” House said. “We want to get it in the kids’ heads that we don’t want anyone to get hurt during prom, and neither does their school or community.”

House said it’s nice to see the administration and staff at Gans Public School care so much about their students. He commended them on shutting down class time to educate their students on life choices.

“Gans School saw the need to teach this program as we’re headed into prom and graduation,” he said. “If we can reach one student, then it was a success. It’s easier to be in front of the storm before it hits. The last thing we want to do as officers is to tell someone that their child has died as a result of driving under the influence.”

House said if other schools are interested in the program, he can be contacted at the Sheriff ’s Office at 918-775-9155.