Hood warned parents on Friday that caffeinated alcoholic drinks are very dangerous to young people.
"Caffeine and alcohol is a dangerous mix, whether it is Red Bull and vodka or the new Sparks Red drink by MillerCoors," explained Hood. "The caffeine makes drinkers think they are not impaired, but they are actually supercharged drunks who think they are bulletproof."
According to Hood, "Youth who combine caffeine and alcohol are more likely to drive, fight and have unsafe sex. This is a new threat to our young people, so I urge parents to learn more about the dangers these drinks pose to children and talk to their kids about those dangers."
Caffeinated alcohol drinks taste and look like non-alcoholic energy drinks that are popular with young people. Misleading marketing campaigns have encouraged the incorrect belief that caffeine counteracts the intoxicating effects of alcohol.
According to the Center for Science in the Public Interest, recently published research indicates that young consumers of caffeinated alcoholic beverages have significantly higher alcohol-related incidents such as requiring medical treatment, being injured, and riding with a driver under the influence. In addition, college students who consume caffeinated alcoholic drinks are more likely to binge drink and be the victim of a sexual assault.
As a result of the misleading marketing claims and the research revealing the dangerousness of caffeinated alcoholic drinks, the Attorneys General of several states have launched investigations and are urging manufacturers to remove these potentially dangerous beverages from the market.
Anheuser-Busch cooperated with the Attorneys General's investigation and has announced it will stop making caffeinated-alcohol products. Unfortunately, MillerCoors has not followed the responsible actions by Anheuser-Busch. Miller continues to produce caffeinated-alcohol drinks and has announced a new product, Sparks Red, with 8 percent alcohol by volume.
General Hood stated, "It is amazing to me that in spite of being under investigation by the Attorneys General, MillerCoors intends to introduce Sparks Red with an even higher alcohol content in October. Consequently, today I have sent a letter to Leo Kiely , the chief executive officer of MillerCoors, asking for copies of documents regarding the marketing strategy for Sparks Red. I just wish the company would respond more responsibly as did Anheuser-Busch. I guess MillerCoors' lust for the corporate annual profits of $114 million off of the caffeinated drinks, overrides their concern for our young people."
