On November 18, 2010, the State Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission issued an emergency regulation banning sales of alcoholic beverages with caffeine on the grounds that such products represent an immediate public-health risk.  CSAC would like to recognize three local liquor stores (Bunker Hill Liquors, Charlestown Liquors, and McCarthy Bros. Liquors) for voluntarily agreeing to remove these dangerous and irresponsible products from their shelves and applaud the fact that they chose to do so even before this emergency ban was enacted!  CSAC appreciates their decision to be socially responsible and proactive in addressing the concerns of the Charlestown community and the Boston Police Department.

These dangerous drinks, which have been blamed for deaths and serious illness, contain 12 percent alcohol combined with high doses of caffeine and other ingredients commonly found in energy drinks. Various studies have shown that caffeinated alcohol drinks are particularly dangerous because caffeine, a stimulant, masks the intoxicating effects of alcohol, and may lead to increased risk-taking.  Research shows that teenagers and young adults are the primary consumers of energy drinks:  31 percent of 12- to 17-year-olds and 34 percent of 18- to 24-year-olds report regular consumption of energy drinks.  Combine that with the fact that these drinks look virtually indistinguishable from other non-alcoholic energy drinks and come in sugary sweet flavors, and it is hard to believe that they are not being targeted to underage drinkers.  In fact, anecdotal information from local youth workers confirms that many underage Charlestown youth report drinking Four Loko and other alcohol energy drinks regularly and in excess.