4 Loko Madness

By Greg Lavoie


The recent ban of Four Loko in Massachusetts has been a popular topic of discussion for college students across the state.

“It seems as though everywhere you go people are talking about Four Loko,” said Bentley sophomore Michael P. Jenkins, 20.

Four Loko, made with guarana, taurine, and caffeine is said to contain 12 percent alcohol volume, which is almost three times the amount of a regular beer.

“The drinks taste really good and they’re inexpensive too. I think college students have embraced them because they’re tasty and you can get your buzz for cheap,” said Suffolk junior Ryan B. Connors, 21.

Recently, the Massachusetts Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission has banned the sales of popular stimulant-packed alcoholic drinks, including Four Loko that has been banned in four states.

Cheers Liquors of Brockton employee Derek M. Macqueen says that he does not understand why it is banned.

“I personally don’t drink Four Loko, but I know that it’s not a new idea to mix alcohol with caffeine. People have been mixing rum with cola for years,” said Macqueen, 23.

Macqueen also said that the drinks are a good seller in his store, but are still outsold by Budweiser products.

“One week we went through 20 cases of Four Loko, which was unprecedented,” said Macqueen. “But as a whole we sell 100 times more Budweiser products.”

Hub.com revealed that Four Loko ranked fourth in sales growth in 2009 among alcoholic beverages at 7-11 mini-marts located nationwide.

“They’ve been out for a while, but it seems like they just started gaining popularity recently,” said Stonehill graduate Matthew B. Smith, 22.

Michigan’s liquor control commission was the first to ban the retail sale of alcoholic energy drinks in its state, telling CBS that the drinks “present a threat to the public health and safety.”

“While a lot of students are outraged by the ban, I think it’s a good idea,” said Endicott senior Brett L. Miller, 21. “The drinks are a lot more potent than some students think.”

The drink gained national attention this October after nine students from Washington University were hospitalized after consuming the beverage.

Director of Health Services at Stonehill College, Diane Leary, said that alcoholic beverages mixed with caffeine are especially dangerous because the caffeine in the drinks can mask the depressant effects of alcohol.

“Because people don’t realize they are getting drunk, they tend to drink more,” said Leary.

Stonehill senior Michael P. Tupman, 22, said that the drinks are safe as long as you are responsible with them.

“First of all, you should not be drinking them if you’re not 21. If you are of legal age to drink, you should know your limits and know that you should consume your drinks at a safe pace,” said Tupman.

Phusion Projects, the creator of Four Loko, told Boston.com that they are disappointed by the ban, saying that alcohol abuse will not be curbed by singling out a single beverage category.

Curry sophomore Epheasion L. Simpson agrees with this assumption.

“Binge drinking is going to occur on campuses nationwide regardless if Four Loko is banned or not,” said Simpson, 20. “Banning the drinks just made them more popular and desired for the remaining time they’re available in stores.”