|
|
|
|
December 09, 2010
Four Loko Gone For Good
You’ve heard about it, you’ve probably tried it, and you might have even felt its dangerous side effects. Four Loko—the increasingly popular go-to drink for college students contains 12 percent alcohol (that’s up to three times more potent than beer!). It also contains as much caffeine as a cup of coffee. It’s no surprise that this lethal combination has resulted in the hospitalization and death of several college students across the country.
In October nine Central Washington University students were hospitalized after drinking Four Loko. All of the students were freshman and had BAC’s ranging from .12 percent to .35 percent. According to officials, one of the female students almost died. Again, in New Jersey’s Ramapo College, 23 college students were hospitalized after allegedly drinking Four Loko.
The drink, appropriately dubbed “blackout-in-a-can”, has sparked a war in order to get it banned from liquor store shelves. The drink has the equivalent of five beers and a cup of Starbucks coffee. Experts said that this combination of alcohol and caffeine make it difficult to determine just how intoxicated someone becomes.
The “Four Loko” tage line refers to the “four” main ingredients in the drink other than alcohol; caffeine, taurine, guarana, and wormwood. Let’s take a closer look at these ingredients now and see what you are really consuming when you drink a Four Loko.
Caffeine—is an addictive stimulant that has been known to increase heart rate, blood circulations, urine production and stomach secretions.
Taurine—is an amino sulfonic acid that is commonly found in the bile of animals. It is also being tested as a potential treatment for bipolar depression.
Guarana—is a plant that works as dietary supplement and effective energy booster but has also been known to contribute to the onset of seizures in some people.
Wormwood—is the main ingredient in the alcoholic drink, Absinth. Absinth is known for its hallucinogenic properties. It was banned in most Western nations back in the 1920s.
Phusion Projects, maker of Four Loko, was started by three college friends from Ohio State University in 2005. The company has released statements claiming that the drinks, “are not energy drinks as they’ve been called—and when consumed responsibly, they are just as safe as any other alcoholic beverages.”
On November 16th, Phusion Projects issued a recall of the drink and announced plans to remove caffeine from the alcoholic beverage. However, this did not stop students from stocking up before the recall.
Slowly but surely, Four Loko has been disappearing from liquor store shelves. The general feeling here, at UNL, is relief. Several students have expressed their concern over the drink after witnessing their friends "lose control." There is, on the other hand, many who feel the ban on this product unfair.
“I think it was a wrong call,” said a student who wishes to remain anonymous. “I think they should have just put a warning label on it….I think as long as people are aware that it’s unsafe, they shouldn’t restrict people’s access to it.”
If you come across this drink, beware. Four Loko has definitely seen its glory days. It’s done its damage, and it’s time to get it off the shelves and into the trash can.
(Brianne Keller is a sophomore studying journalism. You may contact her at breekeller@huskers.unl.edu)
|
|
|
