Energy drinks laced with alcohol found harmful

There have always been bad combinations in life, such as electricity and water and drinking and driving. Now one can add alcohol and energy drinks to that list. Recently, the "Reno Gazette Journal" did some studies on not only the physical harms, but the marketing harms of these drinks to consumers, who are mostly young people.

The most popular alcohol/ energy drink mixes tend to be Red Bull and vodka and Jagerbombs, which is a shot of Jagermeister inside of a glass of Red Bull.

"During the weekend, our most popular request is a Red Bull and vodka," local bartender Johnny Cartwright said. "The youths don't know the harm in them, but what can I do? I've already suggested putting up some kind of warning sign, but the owners don't want to lose the business. The drinks are expensive."

Even the big names of the alcohol business are getting involved. Miller Brewing Company and Anheuser-Busch have created energy drinks that already come equipped with alcohol.

Miller's Sparks and Anheuser-Busch's Tilt and Extra have hit the market with the majority of their advertising geared toward younger people.

Take Bud Extra's slogan for example: "You can sleep when you're 30." These drinks are also packaged in a way that makes it hard to distinguish them from non-alcoholic energy drinks.

The physical dangers of drinking these beverages are immense. Alcohol is a depressant, while the energy drinks, packed with tons of caffeine, taurine and ginseng, are stimulants.

These combinations can be very dangerous. Jolyn Wirshing, a dietitian from the University of Nevada School of Medicine, voices these concerns.

"Once you start mixing a stimulant with a depressant, the combination of those effects can be very dangerous for some people," Wirshing said. "There have been reports of people experiencing cardiovascular failure after consuming energy drinks plus alcohol, especially when doing intense physical activity."

Many students here at West Chester University commonly drink energy drinks spiked with alcohol.

"I love Red Bull and vodka," fifth-year student Nolan Dymszo said. "I stopped drinking Jager in high school so I don't drink Jagerbombs at all. But the Red-Vodkas keep me alert and full of energy for the entire night."

"I can get down with Red Bull and vodkas, but I don't drink too many in one night," fourth-year student Dave Johnson said. "I don't want to go overboard."

But not all West Chester students enjoy these drinks.

"I don't like the way they make my chest feel," third-year student Jimmy Gardiner said. "They actually feel like they hurt me."

"I don't like liquor all that much. I can't control myself with it," fourth-year student Scott Hubbard said. "I just go crazy. I stick to beer."

The rise of popularity of these drinks has caused many attorney generals from states across the country to focus their attention on them.

At least 29 states have joined together to speak out about the dangers of the drinks and the negative impact the products can have on youths, some of whom are not legally old enough to drink the products.

The group of attorney generals have contacted the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau about the misleading advertising of these drinks, mostly the enhanced stamina and energy aspects which these drinks proclaim. Ginseng and taurine are not approved by the Food and Drug Administration.

"The ingredients aren't regulated by the FDA, and none of them have really been proven to be effective as far as what they're claiming," Wirshing said. "They're just putting them in these drinks and claiming things one after another."

The dangers of consuming these drinks are obvious. Bars, restaurants, parents and the manufacturers themselves need to do a better job displaying and educating this younger generation of alcohol drinkers about the hazards of mixing this potential deadly combination.

Craig Gould is a fourth-year student majoring in communication studies with a minor in journalism. He can be reached at CG576796@wcupa.edu.