Lawmaker Aims To Ban Four Loko In NYC
NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- Some lawmakers are looking to ban Four Loko, a high-energy alcohol drink popular among college students, from being sold in New York City.
City Councilman James Sanders Jr., who led the charge in 2006 to ban a drink called "Cocaine" from hitting store shelves, says he has launched an investigation and is in contact with health experts about the beverage's safety.
"We are going to go crazy to protect our children from going crazy over Four Loko," Sanders said.
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The drink comes in a 23.5 ounce can and is equal to drinking three beers, a can of Red Bull and a shot of espresso. Many of the Four Loko flavors contain 12 percent alcohol by volume, making it easy for those with even the highest level of tolerance to become intoxicated.
"You're mixing a witches brew that could have serious medical implications especially on young people whose systems are not fully developed," Sanders said.
The drinks are sold in a variety of fruit flavors, packaged inside brightly-colored cans and cost only about $2.50 each.
Because of the packaging, police said it's too easy for a store clerk to mistake a Four Loko for an energy drink, and sell it to a minor.
"We have managed to stop a drink called 'Cocaine' from coming into our community and we are willing to do that and more to this one," Sanders said.
Ramapo College banned the drink last month after nearly two dozen students were hospitalized after drinking the beverage.
Police say the victim of a gang attack on gays in the Bronx earlier this month was forced to drink 10 cans of Four Loko.
