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Orange Ribbon Week shines spotlight on underage drinking

LAKE STATION, Ind. (AP) - Illusionist Jaden Maxwell used playing cards and a rope to show how illusions distort reality just as alcohol distorts perception.

On the eve of prom season across Northwest Indiana, Maxwell, of Tennessee, was one of three people who spoke to students in the region Wednesday night at Edison Jr-Sr High School about the dangers of drinking and driving.

The presentation was part of "Celebrate Orange Ribbon Week" at the high school and recognizing April as Alcohol Awareness Month. The students and community also recognized STOP Act (Sober Truth on Preventing Underage Drinking).

Lake Station Schools district director of school safety Scott Tokach and Lisa Scott, STOP Act coordinator, said the purpose of the events is to raise awareness surrounding issues dealing with underage alcohol use, binge drinking, health risks and the consequences.

Along with Maxwell was Chris Sandy and Eric Krug, of Atlanta.

Maxwell, whose father was killed by a drunken driver in 1979, said he began performing magic tricks and illusions at 7. Those talents later took him to perform and audition on the hit TV show "America's Got Talent."

A former Marine, Maxwell said his stepfather was an alcoholic, and Maxwell said he used illusion to escape from the reality of his home life.

Sandy said their lives are tied together because all three of their lives have been affected by drinking and driving. He said their message has reached 1 million teens in 30 states. This week, they've talked to hundreds of teens in schools in Northwest Indiana.

Sandy said he was the drunken driver who killed an elderly couple in an accident on April 11, 2000. He said he pleaded guilty to two counts of vehicular homicide by DUI (driving under the influence) and served eight and a half years in prison, being released in 2009.

During the time he was in prison, Sandy said he traveled, in law enforcement custody, to share his story with thousands of young people.

Krug was a baseball player when he made the choice to get into a car with a drunken driver. The driver crashed into trees killing Krug's best friend and teammate. He suffered severe head trauma and was in a coma for a year. He is unable to walk or talk.

Sandy said they hope to inspire students not to drink and drive, and stop friends who are on the brink of drinking and driving.

"We believe we are helping kids stay on the right track," he said.

Edison sophomore Madeline Abramson believes the message will have a profound effect on her classmates.

"It's a big issue," she said. "During prom season, I hope kids will not be reckless but be safe. Hopefully, they will be smart on the road."

Lee Williams, a sophomore at Lighthouse College Preparatory School in Gary, said the message had a little bit of an impact on him.

"I know people who drink but they're not teenagers," he said. "It was informative. I know not to get into a car with someone who is drinking because they might get into a crash."

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Source: The (Munster) Times, http://bit.ly/1QDA2Jk

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Information from: The Times, http://www.thetimesonline.com

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