Substance abuse prevention

ARE ENERGY DRINKS DANGEROUS?

What are energy drinks? No doubt, you may have heard of Red Bull, Rage, Rock Star, Full Throttle, Pimp Juice, Cocaine or Blow. These are just some of the caffeine-laden energy drinks that are being marketed to our youth. They are marketed primarily in less traditional channels like extreme sports sponsorships, internet interactions, internet sites such as Myspace and Facebook and text messaging, not where most of the adult population gets their messages. 'Energy drink' may be the first misnomer. "There is scant scientific support for these ingredients to make the kind of claims manufacturers use in hyping their products," says Suzanne Farrell, MS, RD, a spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association. "Most of the energy from these drinks comes from the sugar and caffeine, not from the unnecessary extras." Farrell indicates that caffeine consumption should be limited to about 200-300 milligrams per day and some of these drinks contain upwards to 280 milligrams. An ordinary 12-ounce can of cola or Mountain Dew contain 23-38 milligrams. These so-called energy drinks should not be confused with electrolyte replenishing beverages. Ingesting large amounts of these energy drinks can result in dehydration which can induce anxiety, panic attack, increased blood pressure and insomnia, just to name a few. Using energy drinks on a regular basis could be compared to popping caffeine pills!! If used in conjunction with strenuous exercise the high caffeine amounts can cause fluid loss and produce a diuretic effect on the body. "Most of the energy drinks contain high-tech sounding ingredients that are not controlled substances, of no value, and potentially harmful" says Cynthia Sass, MPH, MA, RD, a board-certified specialist in sports dietetics. Water should be the beverage of choice during and after exercise.

Now, what about ALCOHOL ENERGY DRINKS??

Alcohol is a depressant and caffeine is a stimulant. Mixing alcohol with an energy drink can lead to a dangerous result. Both are diuretics and can cause severe dehydration. The stimulant effect of the energy drink can mask how intoxicated one would be. Fatigue is one of the ways the body knows that it has had too much to drink. A combo of alcohol and energy drinks can give someone the impression that they aren�t impaired. Alcohol energy drinks are being marketed to the same population as those drinks without the alcohol with hopes of creating brand confusion, especially among youth. There is Tilt, Sparks and others. The energy drink, Rock Star has its alcohol-infused brother, Rock Star 21. Both are sold in soda-looking cans and even though the alcohol content is listed on the one with alcohol, from a quick glance, it would be hard to tell them apart. Our kids are not only getting a hold of these alcohol energy drinks but concocting their own by adding alcohol to the energy drinks. One of our Narragansett Police Officers says, "There is nothing worse than a wide-awake drunk!" Just a word of prudence, here.

So, are ENERGY DRINKS DANGEROUS?

The research is not conclusive on the harmful effects of caffeine, but caution should be noted when consuming the so-called energy drinks during exercise. The combination of alcohol and energy drinks is risky. Anyone under the age of 21 should not be drinking alcohol, at all. We need to be aware of the energy drinks that our children are consuming. It is just one more thing that we, as parents, need to be aware of.

By,

Nancy Arnold Devaney, BS, CPSS

"Inhalants are the third most abused substance among 14 to 15 year olds."
- National Survey on Drug Use and Health