CRAIG D. APPLE SR.

SHERIFF

PAUL M. COURCELLE
CHIEF DEPUTY

WILLIAM C. COX
UNDERSHERIFF

MATTHEW J. CAMPBELL
CHIEF DEPUTY

ALBANY COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE

COUNTY COURT HOUSE ALBANY, NEW YORK 12207 (518) 487-5400 FAX: (518) 487-5037 WWW.ALBANYCOUNTYSHERIFF.COM

MEDIA INVITATION PRESS CONFERENCE Officials Announce DWI Initiative and warn of consequences of Driving Impaired by prescription Medications Thursday, March 14, 2013, 10:00AM - Teamster Hall, 890 Third Street, Albany NY
Albany County Sheriff Craig D. Apple Sr. and STOP-DWI Administrator Lt. Kerry B. Thompson announce the details of Albany Countys St. Patricks Day DWI & Drugged Driving awareness campaign. They call for better warnings on prescription containers to warn the user that operating a motor vehicle under the influence of certain medications could result with the operator facing criminal charges for Driving While Ability Impaired by Drugs, or even worse if someone is injured or killed in a crash. On August 10, 2011, the Sheriffs Office investigated a serious crash in Voorheesville, when LuAnn Burgess of Voorheesville crashed her vehicle outside of a church killing three innocent bystanders. It was determined that Mrs. Burgess had taken several medications which had impaired her ability to drive. Crashes like this are becoming far too common, Sheriff Apple said. Like the crash that occurred on Route 32 in the Town of Coeymans on January 6, 2013, where the operator in that case may have been under the influence of prescription medication. Apparently in that case, the operator admitted to taking a prescription drug prior to driving and then crashed her vehicle causing two individuals to be ejected and seriously injured. There are warnings on medications now to warn the user that the drug may cause you to become drowsy or dizzy and instructs the operator that the drug may impair your ability to drive or operate machinery. What these labels do not inform the consumer is the serious consequences that could result if they decide to drive after taking these medications. You could be arrested for Driving While Ability Impaired (DWAI) by drugs. The sheriff said, Some medications can impair your ability to drive just as much as alcohol. The mission of the Albany County STOP-DWI Program is to remove the impaired driver from our roadways, whether they are impaired by alcohol, illegal substances or prescription medications, they are still driving impaired and that is something that we have to do a better of job deterring. Although several aspects of the awareness campaign are well under way, Albany County will officially kick off the campaign with a press release on Thursday March 14, 2013 at 10:00 AM. In addition to Albany County officials who will include Sheriff Apple, District Attorney David Soares, and County Executive Daniel McCoy, we also hope to have a wide representation of other speakers including Victims, Assemblyman John T. McDonald III, Chuck Deweese from the NYS Governors Traffic Safety Committee, New York State Police Officials & Edward Frank, Director of the Choices 301, Inc. Program.