On Oct. 6, an otherwise perfectly healthy 19 year-old man arrived at Temple University Hospital emergency room in Philadelphia—having a heart attack.
The symptoms were extremely unusual for such a young person, Head of Emergency Medicine Dr. Robert McNamara told ABC News, adding that they are typically seen in people who overdose on cocaine or speed.
The patient had done neither. He had been drinking a new type of beverage, Four Loko.
The beverage comes in a 23.5 ounce can that contains about 2.82 ounces of alcohol, or 12 percent—which experts say is the equivalent of six cans of a light beer. In addition to the alcohol, one can of Four Loko also has 156 milligrams of caffeine, 56 milligrams more than an eight ounce cup of coffee.
At an event about discipline at Harvard University, a University Health Services administrator called Four Loko "badness in a can," according to the Harvard Crimson.
Harvard health officials issued a warning three days later against the caffeinated alcoholic beverage.
"Dozens of college students around the country—including Harvard—have required medical treatment as a result of consuming this alcoholic beverage," wrote Harvard UHS Director David Rosental and Office of Alcohol and Other Drug Services Director Ryan Travia in an e-mail to students. "We strongly encourage that members of the Harvard community do NOT drink Four Loko and urge your friends to do the same."
The warnings come as a result of several more students around the country reaping the consequences of Four Loko consumption.
Available in a variety flavors, Four Loko caused the sickening of dozens at Central Washington University where police found students passed out and rushed nine to the hospital, according to ABC News.
"One girl was sitting on a bench and she fainted, and my friends and I were like, 'Oh my god, oh my god.' We rushed out to help her and gave her CPR," a freshman at the Oct. 8 party told ABC. "These people were still fighting for consciousness almost. And their eyes were rolling back to their head, and I've just never seen anything like that."
Authorities who responded to the incident said the students were in such bad condition they originally believed they were victims of the date rape drug, but after toxicology reports were released they found no evidence of drug use.
Central Washington quickly joined the growing list of colleges that have banned "badness in a can."
Ramapo College of New Jersey banned Four Loko after the hospitalization of 23 students, reported the Harvard Crimson.
This poses an important question: What is the fate of Four Loko, other drinks like it and its consumers at Duke?
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