"Blackout in a Can"

Nine students from Central Washington University were hospitalized after an off-campus party where they drank a caffeinated malt liquor know as "Four Loko" or "blackout in a can." These type of alcohol energy drinks are "a binge-drinkers dream because the caffeine and other stimulants allow a drinker to ingest larger volumes of alcohol without passing out." 50 students total attended the party and they drank more than "Four Loko" by itself, they also mixed the drink with vodka and other alcohol. The Washington State Attorney is trying to get the beverages banned, and the Central Washington University President has banned the drinks from the campus. While the alcohol energy drinks are dangerous, they are not packaged that way, having fruit flavors to hide the alcohol taste and being packaged like non-alcoholic drinks. 

I first heard this story on the news and the very first thing that came to my mind was why would they ever even think of putting alcohol and energy drinks together in one beverage? Even as underage kids/adults, we have all seen the dangerous effects of alcohol, whether it be at a wedding or other celebratory event, we've all seen it. As for me, as a result from my witnesses of this, and other knowledge, I have no desire to put myself through that. Also, though we may not have seen the effects of energy drinks, I'm sure we have all heard stories. Knowing how dangerous these two beverages are on their own, just image how bad they are when put together! Of course they are going to be harmful! It just makes matters worse how the company is displaying them- treating them more like energy drinks, which teens especially seem to enjoy, instead of treating them like alcoholic beverages. The company says they are doing "all [they] can to ensure that [their] products are consumed safely and responsibly," but instances like these really make me wonder to what extent companies will go to make a profit, and how much of our safety they will put on the back burner. 

http://www.cnn.com/2010/US/10/25/washington.students.overdose/index.html?npt=NP1