Not a sound could be heard from Mercer High School students as they listened to Jason Barber describe how he killed his younger brother and injured another whole family when he chose to drink and drive.

"I laid down next to my little brother on the ground and just cried," the California man said during an assembly attended by almost 600 students. His 15-year old brother had gone through the windshield of the truck Barber was driving while it rolled over six times. Barber later served 4 years in prison for vehicular manslaughter, drunken driving and gross negligence.

And the story had its effect on the students.

"It makes you realize what is going on and that it could happen to your friends," said 14-year-old Kate Chapman.

"It was better than just hearing someone say it could happen," said 15-year-old Polly Kyle. "It was personal."

"He told us his story and it really got us thinking about the consequences," said 15-year-old Devin Kelley. Added her friend Christine Kelly, 14, "Anytime someone offers me a drink, this (story) will flash in my mind."

The girls know people in their age group who are drinking and said it has been offered to them. "Even if you try to speak to them (about it), they blow it off by saying 'I can beat it.' They think it's funny," Polly said.

"How naive and ignorant they are about it, like they have super powers," Devin said. "They say it couldn't happen to me."

The teens also acknowledged that sometimes the problem comes from an older example.

"Half the time, the parents give it to the kids," said Devin, explaining that there was a difference between tasting champagne or wine at holidays or a special meal and getting alcohol for parties.

They also emphasized that the kind of friends they hang out with can make a difference.

"I'm a straight-edge. I don't do drugs, I don't drink, I don't have sex, and I don't smoke. It's how I represent myself," Polly said. "If I'm at a place I don't feel comfortable, I call my parents."

"We do have friends that do drink, but they've never actually offered it to me," said Kate, adding that peer pressure isn't as bad as parents think.

"We can hang out with them and not drink. Sometimes it's guilt by association. But that's not true at all."

The other teens agreed. "It's (peer pressure) not that bad at all," added Polly.

According to Mercer High School Assistant Principal Mike Schreck, the reason for the assembly, which was sponsored by La Russe Distributing Co. Inc., was the time of year and the timely message.

"I think it's an important message to get out to the kids, especially during prom time and graduation," he said.

For more information about the speaker, check www.itsnotanaccident.com