Archive for December, 2010
Banning the Deadly Witch’s Brew
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Ever heard of Four Loko? If you haven’t, then sigh in relief that you’ve never been introduced to this blend of alcohol and caffeine—a blend that has been labeled “toxic” by New York Senator Charles Schumer.
We all know the terrible effects and consequences of drinking while driving; however, many don’t know that being caffeinated can be just as bad while driving. Hyper-alert, aggressive, and mentally tired despite being physically awake, caffeine has a shocking history of deadly crashes. (Especially with all those teens who rely on a Red Bull or a Starbucks frapp to get them through the day after staying up late, most likely on the computer.)
Well, try multiplying the effects of alcohol and caffeine together, and then squaring that answer, and then shooting it straight into hyperspace. That’s approximately the extent of the effects of this cleverly disguised poison. Mixing alcohol and caffeine creates the kind of explosion in your mind that shaking up a bottle of coke, stuffing mentos into your mouth, and then pouring that coke down your throat, does. But so, so much worse. Can you even imagine what state you’ll be in after drinking one of those, especially if you’re trying to drive? Not pretty. Even for adults who can legally drink alcohol.
So it’s no wonder that several states in the U.S. have decided to ban such evil drinks. Not only are states such as New York, Michigan, Oklahoma, Utah, and Washington banning such drinks, but many college campuses are as well. Smart move, really. Especially considering brands such as Four Loko contain as much caffeine as three cups of coffee and as much alcohol as three cans of beer in a single 23.5 ounce can. Wow.
The Great Race… at School
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Does that sound familiar? If you’re a teen currently attending high school in the suburbs, there’s a good chance that it does. Run out the door right after last bell, jump into the driver’s seat, shove the key into the engine, fly past your teachers—who may likely be rolling their eyes at this point— and laugh at your squealing tires as you speed out of the parking lot, determined to get out first. Or, perhaps you’ve heard of lunch races—racing away from the school and seeing how far you can go and still get back before the bell rings.
It may seem like fun, especially as you get to soak up the attention of eager spectators who laugh, scream, and applaud daring moves; however, these races have also led to some of the most idiotic crashes recorded in the history of teen crashes. Crashing on the highway? All the time. Crashing into lamp posts? Normal. Crashing right under the nose of your chemistry teacher just in front of the school? …
Really, that’s not cool. Not only do you get in heaps of trouble and a “stupidity” label at school, but you also tend to lose respect amongst the rest of the town population—the majority of whom are not teenagers who can understand the adrenaline rush and thrill of dare-devil moves. Oh, and your parents will not be happy with the rise in your insurance—which you may very likely find yourself having to pitch in on.
Your school parking lots are crowded, and if you’re racing away from such a cramped space, there’s a very likely chance of crashing—whether into another racer, a poor innocent pedestrian, or just the curb. So, perhaps you may want to take second thoughts about those school races?