The Courier today launches a campaign to encourage local secondary schools to ban caffeine-based fizzy drinks .
These so-called “energy” drinks can lead to a host of problems in our classrooms and we believe enough is enough.
Just last week, Forfar Academy rector Melvyn Lynch spoke out about the issues the beverages can cause, including the extra pressure it is putting on teachers.
He cited everything from unruly behaviour to insomnia and even bed-wetting as potential consequences of indulgence.
Teachers in our local schools are rightly proud of the job they do.
However, the widespread consumption of energy drinks — for some youngsters they even represent breakfast — is making teaching more difficult.
And the issues go beyond anti-social and disruptive behaviour, though that is bad enough.
Nutritionists warn of the potentially devastating impacts of a diet rich in caffeine and sugar.
Safe levels of caffeine vary, but are said to be approximately 100mg per day for teenagers. Some of the drinks we want to see outlawed in schools contain between 240mg and 500mg.
Over-consumption can cause nervousness, behavioural disorder, heart irregularities, upset stomachs and restlessness.
When taken in excess by those with diabetes or cardiac abnormalities the consequences can be even more serious.
So what do we hope to achieve?
We want secondary schools across Courier Country to commit to banning the consumption of caffeine-laden “energy” drinks during school hours.
We hope parents will also support our bid by doing their bit to curb teenagers’ intake of caffeine drinks.
As an incentive to participating schools, The Courier will provide reusable water bottles to all S1 pupils joining after the summer break.
To sign-up to our campaign, local schools need only register by contacting news@thecourier.co.uk.
Please include the name of your school and a brief outline of your reason for signing up.
We will then include your school’s name in our “hall of fame” — and arrange for the delivery of the water bottles.
Forfar Academy’s Melvyn Lynch took a bold step in banning the drinks from his school.
We salute his stance — and urge other schools to follow in his trail-blazing footsteps.
