Energy drinks - introduction to drugs?

Are the so called energy drinks an entry point into other 'high inducing' methods of synthetically elevating your physiology? Aside from the fact that they are giving you a potent spike of vigorous activity they might be an introduction into artificially enhanced sports performance. Do young people need that in this era of Mark McGuire, Barry Bonds and Ben Johnson?
During a recent boys soccer game in Langley, one 8 year old collapsed on the field after complaining about sharp chest pains, numbness in his arms and shortness of breath. He was rushed to hospital with a dangerous heart rate and elevated blood pressure. After an ECG the doctors said it was the Full Throttle energy drink he had consumed prior to his game. One can't imagine the parents actually allowing the boy to have this drink, we assume he did it on it's own.
But the fact that an 8 year old thought he needed such a boost is disturbing.
A Brown University study concluded that energy drinks should not be used while exercising as the combination of fluid loss from sweating and the diuretic quality of the caffeine can leave the user severely dehydrated. There are many websites with information on these drinks.

And check out a few of their products, especially Full Throttle from Coca Cola - The heading is "Let your man out" with an explosive can and a huge black ominous looking truck, with a black dressed trucker or biker dude looking as tough as he can. One thinks the demographic they are trying to reach are the same WWW Raw rasslin' fanatics mentality. They even have a page called 'badass downloads' with pictures of that drug dealer looking guy you see on the worst news at 11:00. That guy pictured here is actually on Coca Cola's website!
Some other drinks, many with subliminal sexual suggestions, are Red Bull, Monster, Boost, Rockstar, Hype, Rush, Atomic X, Socko, Fuze and the best of all, Pimp Juice! You can even download a song from their website called 'Doin' what a pimp do.'
Do children need performance in sports? Aren't they supposed to be having fun? Aren't these drinks selling something scary? Are they on the verge of promoting drug use as a way of life? Do we want children to emulate the kind of person who needs these drinks? Is the next step a little pill delivered to the 8 year old to make him run faster and kick harder?
I'm not saying they are marketting to children, but beware parents, a new threat is emerging.
As if you needed another.

Wikipedia info -
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Energy_drink

Health warning -
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/iyh-vsv/prod/energy-energie_e.html

Bill Bennett Bad Boy?

East Kootenay MLA and Minister of State responsible for mining, Bill Bennett resigned after sending a flaming email to someone who taunted him first.
So he got angry, showed emotion. Showed himself as human too. Those Kootenay people are real people.
So what's the big deal?
I mean, it's not like he drove drunk or anything.

St. Paul's hospital in danger

St. Paul's hospital is in grave danger of becoming greed money for rich condo developers.

One of British Columbia's major tertiary, teaching and research hospitals serving residents from Vancouver's downtown core and across the province, it was established in 1894 by the Sisters of Providence, St. Paul's hospital plays a major role in academic research and training in co-operation with UBC and other provincial and national post-secondary institutions. St. Paul's is home to the BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS and is the primary site for the province's Heart Centre, and has an international reputation for quality care. The Hospital also has special focus in Renal Transplantation, Digestive and Nutritional Disorders, Geriatric Care and Community Health.
The BC Provincial government controls it's fate, and, if we can use history as a guide, we can assume that British Columbians' wishes don't count in the upcoming decision. St. Paul's could go the way of our own railroad, sold off to foreigners; it could go the way of many smaller health care facilities in BC; it could become a bonanza for private companies to make a fortune like the Alcan decision where they are now allowed to produce power and charge us ten times the regular price, all for profit.
Profit and handing out sweetheart deals to their business friends is the norm for the BC Liberal government under Gordon Campbell. I know it seems like harping but truth is truth. Our BC Place stadium is in the same predicament, greedy developers eyeing it lustily.
St. Paul's hospital is crucial to the future of Vancouver. Local governments have been trying to lure people back into Vancouver's downtown, and it is being successful, but this growing core of residents need a downtown hospital. The West End has a huge population density. Moving it only makes sense to condo developers who would have every square foot in high rise apartments without a concern for the quality of life for Vancouverites.
My own recent experience at St. Paul's was enlightening in being exposed to the quality and efficiency of their care for patients and the pride with which they do their job. St. Paul's is a Vancouver treasure and needs to stay right where it is.
Don't allow greed and money to destroy another part of our quality of life in Vancouver, speak out to save St. Paul's.

Go here to add your voice to the outcry ...
http://www.savestpauls.ca/
and here ...
http://www.savestpauls.ca/petition/petition.shtml
and here ...
http://www.savestpauls.ca/images/save_st_pauls_poster_4up.pdf