Four Loko: Teens Are Loco for New Alcohol Energy Drink

By Chrissie Dziembowski

You may have heard of the newest caffeinated malt beverage on the market, Four Loko. This alcoholic drink is quickly gaining popularity, especially among teens--and it is easy to see why.

Four Loko, available in various fruit flavors including grape, orange, blue raspberry and watermelon, is sold in bright aluminum cans and prices per can start as low as $2. The 23.5 ounce cans contain 10%-12% alcohol--the equivalent of about 3 beers--combined with high amounts of caffeine. The exact amount of caffeine is undisclosed, though it is one of the four primary ingredients (hence the name "Four Loko"): caffeine, taurine, guarana and alcohol. Taurine and guarana are also stimulants.

What are the dangers of mixing alcohol and caffeine?

When alcohol is mixed with caffeine, it masks the effects/feelings/influence of the alcohol and sends mixed signals to the nervous system. Since one feels less intoxicated than they actually are, they are likely to consume more alcohol, leading to black outs, alcohol poisoning, and even death from overdose. Additionally, both caffeine and alcohol are diuretics, therefore mixing them can cause dehydration. A dehydrated body is slow to process alcohol, and that can interfere with coordination, balance and ability to regulate body temperature. CBS News recently reported on the serious health implications of this dangerous combination, citing a Wake Forest University study which found college students who combine alcohol and caffeine are more likely to suffer alcohol-related injuries and accidents.

Legislators and public health officials are also taking action to prevent possible tragedies that could come from the Loko craze. Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) is urging the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to investigate the safety of the product as well as the manufacturer's marketing practices.

Locally, community organizers and politicians have been working to eradicate Four Loko since early summer. Rev. William Rocky Brown III, a candidate for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, said that the new drink "is having our young people black out.” Nafis Nichols of Chester Youth Collaborative called it "legalized liquid cocaine."

Four Loko is considered an "alco-pop", an alcoholic beverage made with fruit juices and other flavorings which tend to conceal the alcohol content of the drink behind a sweet, fruity flavor. The colors, the flavors, the website, and the language used to market this product clearly targets teens, i.e. underage drinkers.

If you see your son or daughter is a fan of a Four Loko group on Facebook--which states in their information section: "mission: to get us all drunk :)"--or you find a neon can in the trash/in a picture/in a backpack--talk to your teen about the dangers of alcohol, especially when mixed with caffeine. Explain that they are the target for these products--and do they really want to be "told what to do"? Use the sites in the right sidebar for tips to start the discussion. You'll be glad you did!

Teens smoking incense and new web resource!

By Chrissie Dziembowski

CBS news ran an article this spring about an herbal mixture (actually to be used as incense) called "K2" that mimics the symptoms of smoking marijuana. This legal product is on the verge of being banned, but in the meantime teens are using it to get high "legally". Side effects include vomiting, elevated heart rates, seizures, and other effects to the cardiovascular and central nervous system. This substance is also particularly difficult because it won't show up on a drug test since it doesn't contain THC. K2 is sold online and can also be found in smoke shops and stores where incense is sold. To read the full story from CBS news click HERE.

In other web-browsing and email blasting...

Drug Free Action Alliance has a website, Know!, that is a great resource for parents. They have an archive full of parent tips including this one about how Times of Transition Increase Risk of Youth using Drugs and Alcohol.

Know! Times of Transition Increase Risk

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There are specific times in a child’s life that place him or her at increased risk for using alcohol, tobacco and other drugs…heading back to school is one of them. If your child is entering middle school, high school or moving to a new school, you will need to be especially vigilant. But even a change in grade level, teachers, coaches or friends may be cause enough for added stress that can also lead to experimentation with alcohol, tobacco and other drugs.

While we know every child is at-risk for using substances, the danger triples for a young person entering high school. For youth entering middle school, the threat is also alarming, as this is an equally high time of transition. Most kids in younger grades tend to have strong anti-substance use attitudes. But the move to middle and high school brings with it a shift in attitudes, due in part, to increased exposure to other students who may be drinking, smoking and using other drugs. Many of these kids are older or are considered popular and may appeal to your child’s natural desire to be like them and be liked by them. The many changes that accompany a new school year calls for parents to be especially aware.

Parents, here’s what you can do:

1. Be active and supportive in your child’s daily life.

2. Ask questions about substance use and reinforce no use messages.

3. Make clear your expectations and consequences for breaking rules.

4. Know where your child is and who he or she is with.

5. Do not allow your child to hang out with friends unsupervised