7-Eleven Pulls Drink Named Cocaine

[Dr. Jack]

7-Eleven Pulls Drink Named Cocaine

By DAVID KOENIG
AP Business Writer

DALLAS -- Convenience-store operator 7-Eleven Inc. is telling franchises to pull a high-caffeine drink from its shelves because of the product's name: Cocaine.

The company acted after getting complaints from parents of teens, who are a big part of the drink's target audience.

"Our merchandising team believes the product's name promotes an image which we didn't want to be associated with," said Margaret Chabris, a spokeswoman for 7-Eleven.

Cocaine comes in red cans, with the name spelled out in what are meant to resemble lines of white powder.

According to the label, each 8.4-fluid ounce can contains 280 milligrams of caffeine -- more jolt than a cup of coffee, a can of Coca-Cola or the leading energy drink, Red Bull -- but no cocaine.

The drink is made by Redux Beverages of Las Vegas, which markets it as "The legal alternative."

Hannah Kirby, the company's managing partner, said 7-Eleven stores didn't account for many sales of the drink. It hit shelves in New York and California in August and is now available in more than a half-dozen states, mostly in mom-and-pop convenience and liquor stores.

This isn't the first time Cocaine has been yanked. Some stores in the New York area pulled the drink after local politicians complained. It's all part of the company's plan to stand out in the fast-growing energy drink market.

"We knew the name was going to be provocative," said Kirby, whose husband, James, created the drink.

Kirby said the company wasn't glorifying an illegal drug in the eyes of its young consumers. "Kids understand the difference between a controlled substance and an energy drink," she said.

Chabris, the 7-Eleven spokeswoman, said the Dallas-based chain is recommending that franchisees not stock the drink.

Chabris said a vendor that isn't recommended by 7-Eleven "dropped the product off at some stores in Northern California." She said she didn't know how many stores carried it.

7-Eleven stores sell other energy drinks, which nutritionists warn can cause caffeine and sugar highs followed by crashing lows among kids who consume them -- sometimes several in a row.

Researchers in Chicago reported this month that they saw a surprisingly high number of cases of caffeine abuse over the past three years, including 12 percent that required hospital treatment. The average age of the victims was 21.

[WildKat]

Why in the world would this company name a drink "cocaine"? Anything for a buck, no matter what the consequences might be....AMAZING!

[hungjury]

To think that this drink has caused an increase in cocaine use is retarded. Are they going to make Coke change their name? Afterall, it was nicknamed 'coke' because it actually contained cocaine, back in the day.

Our country is just way too over-protective.

[ZIGGYSTARDUST]

The power of suggestion should not be downplayed... Last year on a major road in my area they put up a huge billboard that had a mirror, a blade and a big line of blow laying on it... Underneath the message said just say NO.. My God why not put a strippers picture and nimber beside it... Never took that way home after drinking... Not that strong... Billboard lasted a month got a feeling it was not getting the point across..

[skippy]

Damn prohibition!!!

I hope they don't pull the song COCAINE from the airwaves.

[WildKat]

Originally Posted by hungjury

To think that this drink has caused an increase in cocaine use is retarded. Are they going to make Coke change their name? Afterall, it was nicknamed 'coke' because it actually contained cocaine, back in the day.

Our country is just way too over-protective.

I'm gonna probably disagree with the way you feel about this one, hung. I don't have the slightest clue if it has an increase in the use of Coacaine, but I'm just a little more conservative when it some to social issues in realation to drugs and it's effects on society. I have worked with "at risk" kids for 12 years and the more positive things in society the better. I would guess Im in the minority on this issue, but it's just the way that I see it. No offense to you or your opinion. And yes, I agree that everyone today is suing everybody for something that is offensive to them. I do hate that!

[hungjury]

Originally Posted by WildKat

I'm gonna probably disagree with the way you feel about this one, hung. I don't have the slightest clue if it has an increase in the use of Coacaine, but I'm just a little more conservative when it some to social issues in realation to drugs and it's effects on society. I have worked with "at risk" kids for 12 years and the more positive things in society the better. I would guess Im in the minority on this issue, but it's just the way that I see it. No offense to you or your opinion. And yes, I agree that everyone today is suing everybody for something that is offensive to them. I do hate that!

I understand your point. I just think that we try to shelter our society too much. And it doesn't seem to work. If you look at Canada or European countries, they have far less rules and way less crime and abuse. Whatever we are doing isn't working.

But it could be the fact that we have gone way beyond the point of return. So if we did impliment a European standard of living, all chaos would break out.

Whatever is best for the kids, at this point, works for me

[WildKat]

Gotcha Hung...I think it;s the latter of the two that you mentioned. I think we are WAY past the point of no return.

[guzzi]

yes...day also pulled venezuwhalen gasoline...now where am i gonna get my butter...

[Deck]

anyone know where go get a 8ball?

[WildKat]

Originally Posted by Deck

anyone know where go get a 8ball?

Not at your local 7-11.....anymore

[Bobtheicon]

Originally Posted by Deck

anyone know where go get a 8ball?

I've noticed its gotten very difficult to find a cocaine dealer these days.
Crack, Smack, Weed, Meth - no problem. But try to find some decent blow...
Where the f*ck is all the coke, man??!!!!!!

[Deck]

cracking down on it. it sucks for us coke heads