Dallas County District Attorney Michael Jackson recently spoke to students at the Dallas County Career Technical Center about underage drinking.

Jackson spoke at the school as part of the Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board’s “Under Age, Under Arrest” program. Students from Keith High, Southside High and Dallas County High are part of the school.’

Jackson is also the Fourth Circuit District Attorney that includes Perry, Hale, Bibb and Wilcox Counties.

“Don’t think that just because you aren’t an adult that you won’t face the legal consequences of underage drinking,” Jackson said. “If you are underage and have beer or wine or liquor, the police aren’t just going to give you a pat on the wrist. You could be going to jail.”

Carolyn Tyus of Mothers Against Drunk Driving Alabama, Special Agent Jason Ward of the State Bureau of Investigations and Dean Argo of the ABC Board were the other speakers at the event.

Tyus shared a story of her son, Renota, getting killed by a drunk driver in 2008. Her son was a student at the University of Alabama at his death. Tyus said the drunk driver was convicted and sentenced to 20 years in prison.

“He was going 67 miles per hour in a 25 mile per hour zone,” Tyus said. “Renota didn’t have a chance. He was killed instantly. Nearly every bone in his body was broken. The drunk driver walked away with barely a scratch.”

Argo, director of the Under Age, Under Arrest program and manager of government relations and communications for the ABC Board, said over 100 programs were presented to middle and high schools across the state last year.

“Alcohol is a dangerous, mind-altering drug,” he said. “Underage drinking alone is responsible for 5,000 deaths in the U.S. each year. It’s about making good decisions. Too many young people are making the bad decision to consume alcohol, and we want to put an end to it.”

Jackson said he’s grateful to participate in the Under Age, Under Arrest program at the tech school.

“This was a great program, explaining to teenagers the dangers of excessive drinking, underage drinking and driving under the influence,” Jackson said. “All of these topics were discussed in a way that kept the students interested.”