Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It was announced by the Minister of Health and Social Services last week and we are now in the middle of the 6th annual Drop the Pop campaign.
Last year 84 percent of our schools enthusiastically took part in the program. Ecole William McDonald School in Frame Lake had planned to drop a fake pop machine off the roof of the school to prove that they had moved pop out of the school, but insurance concerns intervened and they had to cancel the event, much to the dismay of the students, I’m sure.
But it is time to expand the Drop the Pop campaign to include energy drinks, Mr. Speaker. Students and adults looking for the rush that a sugary pop used to provide are instead replacing pop with energy drinks. It is absolutely the least healthy alternative to pop that can be found and it is dangerous. One energy drink contains far more than the recommended daily maximum limit of caffeine for a child, and that’s 85 milligrams. A can of Coke has 26 milligrams of caffeine. A much smaller can of Rock Star has 200 milligrams of caffeine. An indication of the potency of energy drinks is that they have well-known and listed side effects: nausea, vomiting, irregular heartbeat, tremors and diarrhea.
Health Canada reported 69 reactions to energy drinks between January 2006 and January 2011. That doesn’t sound or seem like a lot, Mr. Speaker, but one of those reactions was death for an 18 year old. One-third of the reactions occurred in young people between the ages of 12 and 30.
Mr. Speaker, last July a Canadian Medical Association Journal editorial stated that caffeine levels in energy drinks are hazardous to the young and that they must be regulated. It went on to say: “Caffeine loaded energy drinks have crossed the line from beverages to drugs delivered in tasty syrups.” These drinks, like drugs, are addictive. The well-known drink Red Bull has been nicknamed the drink of future junkies.
The government must consider banning energy drinks, Mr. Speaker. At least ban them from purchase by our youngsters. We can put in place the same restrictions that we have for the sale of cigarettes to young people. We need to encourage NWT school boards and educators to ban them from our schools.
Next year, Mr. Speaker, the Drop the Pop promotion should include pop and energy drinks. Maybe we can call it eliminating evil. Our kids will be healthier for it. Thank you.
Thank you, Ms. Bisaro. The honourable Member for Great Slave, Mr. Abernethy.
