EDITORIAL: Hoist 'Mug Shots,' not just mugs
A new DVD on binge drinking and alcoholism is a must-see film for young people everywhere.

"Mug Shots the Movie," produced for the Lake County Drug-Free Alliance, is being released in time for prom and graduation season, which begins April 18 in Lake County.

Lake County leads Indiana in alcohol-related traffic fatalities, and Crown Point is the top spot in the county for underage drinking, according to the alliance's yearlong survey.

"Mug Shots," the 40-minute film, is aimed at people ages 12 to 25. It weaves entertainment and facts together in a way that keeps people's attention while it educates them about the dangers of binge drinking and alcoholism.

The film tells of a person shooting mug shots at a local jail who becomes interested in the people behind the photos and what he finds out.

Lake County Sheriff Rogelio "Roy" Dominguez offers a short speech at the beginning of the film, and county Prosecutor Bernard Carter sums up the message at the end. Each wants young people to take the message to heart.

The alliance was formed in 2003 by Dominguez and Carter.

John Key, a consultant with Key West Enterprises LLC who is administering this grant for the alliance, said he persuaded filmmaker Mark Spencer of Mass Media 7 to lower the cost of production as his part in helping fight drugs locally.

Key is eager to distribute DVD copies of the film not just to Lake County schools but beyond. "We'll also make it available to Porter and LaPorte counties," he said, and would send it to Chicago south suburban communities or anyone else wanting a copy.

Middle schools and high schools are likely venues, but so are youth groups and colleges.

This is an important and powerful message. By issuing the DVD and an accompanying hip-hop musical CD promoting safe graduation activities, "We speak to young people in their language," Key said. "We have to get their attention before we can teach them."

School officials throughout the region -- not just in Lake County -- should take Key up on his offer for this program aimed at reducing binge drinking and alcoholism among 12- to 25-year-olds.

For a copy of the DVD, call the Lake County Drug Free Alliance at (219) 648-6121 or e-mail Key at jkey@lakecountysheriff.com.