By Shelly Williams/editor-in-chief
Last month, nine students from Central Washington University experienced what police have now labeled “blackout in a can,” according to a CNN article.
The students were sickened by a caffeinated malt liquor called Four Loko while at a party. Now, Phusion Projects, the Chicago-based company that sells the drink, is being blamed for the students’ illnesses. The drinks are under consideration for banning not just from the school but now across Washington state because of their ingredients.
University president James L. Gaudino said the blood alcohol levels of the hospitalized students ranged from .12 to .35. A blood alcohol concentration of .3 is considered lethal.
WDIV-TV in Detroit reported that Four Loko was linked to the rape of a 14-year-old girl during a homecoming after-party.
Typical. Once again, people are not taking responsibility for their own actions.
Not only is the company being blamed for the actions of nine students, but now a drink is why someone was raped?
One can of Four Loko is 23.5 ounces and 12 percent alcohol. The girl is said to have consumed one can, and it was mixed with rum. The two boys who assaulted her were part of a party thrown by two parents, one of which allegedly supplied the alcohol, according to Detroit’s examiner.com. The nine Washington students had other alcoholic drinks involved at their party as well.
No matter the percentage of alcohol or ounces in a can, it does not excuse their actions. A beverage cannot rape a student. The two boys will be tried in court, but if the evidence is there, let’s hope the jury finds them guilty. They had the choice not to touch the 14-year-old girl, whether she was intoxicated or not.
And the nine underage students had the choice not to pick up Four Loko. They had the choice to follow the warning labels on the side of the can. They chose not to do so. Don’t blame a company for your child’s actions. It’s like suing McDonald’s for making your kid fat.
Obviously, Four Loko is a powerful drink. But this is a perfect example of why drinking responsibly is important and why there is a legal drinking age.
It doesn’t matter what alcohol is involved. Alcohol is still alcohol.
Drink responsibly.
