Straight Talk: Four Loko drinks a recipe for adolescent disaster

Dear Straight Talk: I'm in college and "Simon," who is over 21, is throwing a New Year's party. He bought two cases of Four Loko after it was banned and plans to make more using an Internet recipe. I think Four Lokos are stupid. A friend of mine got really sick from them and people have died. However, Simon thinks the ban is what's stupid. I know if I don't help with his party, there will be 18 other girls all over him. I really like him. Should I just go along with things knowing it is everyone's choice what they drink (Four Loko won't be the only thing there), not to mention that other parties will have Four Loko, too. He says I'm being totally uptight. Am I? ~ S. C., Los AngelesGregg, 19, Sacramento: I wouldn't involve myself in dangerous drinking activities no matter how much I liked someone. If someone gets hurt, there can be consequences for those present. You have plenty of time to find a meaningful relationship and there are plenty of other New Year parties. Go to a different one. Ashley, 23, Auburn: Before I was 21, I would start my night off with Sparks (similar to Four Loko). Alcohol energy drinks are sucked down so easily, you don't know the effect until it's too late. These things are banned because young people are dropping dead from them. Stick to your guns. Katelyn, 16, Huntington Beach: Don't cave in just because you like the host or because "everyone else is doing it." Besides, if Simon has girls all over him, he doesn't care about just you.Molly, 19, Oakland: Four Lokos are gross, but I'm no fan of energy drinks. However, it's up to people to drink what they want. After the ban on Four Loko, people should know the dangers and if they really want to drink something that tastes like cough syrup, that's their choice.Brie, 19, Santa Barbara: It's no joke that Four Lokos are concentrated. I almost blacked out from just one. But people will do what they want. If they don't have enough sense to not drink themselves into oblivion with Four Loko, they probably shouldn't be drinking anything. Lennon, 24, Fair Oaks: I don't recommend Four Loko, but mixing alcohol and caffeine isn't new and I hardly see a point in banning something that can be readily made. They are dangerous, but so is alcohol — people die from it regularly. Rachel, 19, Los Angeles: Besides the fact that Four Loko is banned because it's so dangerous, your discomfort with this party is a red flag for the relationship. Letting this slide could snowball into letting other things slide. Dear S. C.: I think you're being smart. I'd pass on this party. Simon and other party hosts are liable for underage guests. Four Loko adds risk because drinking alcohol mixed with stimulants makes people more prone to thinking they can drive safely when they can't. It's not called "blackout in a can" for nothing. Some of the panelists share Simon's bristle regarding the ban. But combining the alcohol equivalent of three beers, the sugar of two Pepsis, and the caffeine of a tall Starbucks, (plus stimulants taurine, guarana and wormwood), into a hip 23.5-ounce can costing only $3, makes me bristle at the ethics of companies profiting off poisoning our young. (Notice that almost nobody past adolescence (age 25) touches these things.) The massive serving size of a Four Loko is the main reason it was banned while bar drinks like Vodka Red Bull and Irish coffee were not. The liver can only process one drink an hour. In a bar, serving a Four Loko would amount to "stacking" a guest. And that is illegal. —Lauren For more discussion, to ask a question, or inquire about being a youth panelist, visit http://www.straighttalkforteens.com or write POB 963 Fair Oaks, CA 95628. word count: 168More from Lauren Forcella: Four Loko has other nicknames as well: "Legalized cocaine in a can" is one. "Nuclear Gatorade" is another. I'm glad these alcohol-energy drinks were banned. The original alcopops (malted brews that are sweetened and flavored) are bad enough in their appeal to the 18- to 24-year-old crowd, but add high doses of caffeine, taurine, guarana and wormwood and you've got alcopops on steroids. I don't think most people consider how dark it is that companies put thought into manufacturing something to sell to our youth that would be considered a poison for animals. We can thank the people at MADD for instigating the ban. To those ringing in the New Year, be smart. If you feel the need to get "completely wrecked," I recommend looking into the reasons for wanting to escape to that degree. The consequences of one party can last a lifetime. Don't party and have unprotected sex. Don't party and drive. Help each other out. I'm wishing you a safe and happy New Year. —Lauren