Alcoholic energy drinks a symptom of a larger problem

In an effort to shift the conversation about the banning of alcoholic energy drinks, a Boston Globe columnist writes, ". . . Four Loko is merely an upstart outlier that is easy to pick on. The bigger issue is underage drinking and binge drinking. We remain a hypocritical nation that wags our fingers at kids not to drink but lets top beer companies target them with advertising."

While the column goes on to discuss the huge amount of alcohol ads that minors are exposed to, I would add that there are multiple factors that influence underage and binge drinking, including advertising and alcoholic beverages that are attractive to young people. Factors such as local laws and their enforcement; parental and community attitudes and actions; and opportunities for youth to play meaningful roles in their communities and to be recognized for their positive contributions.

While banning certain alcohol products and reducing alcohol advertising will reduce underage and binge drinking, there are more strategies that communities need to consider when acting to prevent youth substance abuse.

Teens: how to get drunk and stay drunk

It wasn't the so-called date rape drug slipped into a drink that sent nine college freshman to the hospital. It was an "alcohol energy drink" that did the damage. Our state attorney general Rob McKenna immediately notified the Food and Drug Administration (letter) as a follow up to his office's request a year ago asking the FDA to investigate these drinks.

A quick search on the brand that the teenagers drank at the party tells a story of frequent abuse, little recognition of the dangers of mixing a depressant (alcohol) with a stimulant (caffeine) and the blatant marketing to teenagers.

FDA action so far-- warnings to manufacturers-- resulted in Anhaeuser-Busch ending production of their alcopop. We'll keep watching what happens with this latest news.