Seeing children as young as 8 years old walking around with an energy drink has always sickened me. Some parents are buying these drinks for their children, others probably have no idea they are drinking them. A couple of weekends ago, I took my children to a local skating rink and see what had to have been a 10-11 year old boy walking around the arena with an oversized Monster energy drink. As upset as that made me, however; what made me more upset was the fact that this "family friendly" skating rink that I've known for all my own chilhood, had not one...but TWO vending machines filled with energy drinks! 

I have researched this, and only 5 states have attempted to place age restrictions on energy drinks...none of their attempts have passed. Please take a moment to read these 2 articles:

• According to http://www.aapcc.org/alerts/energy-drinks/.... ;In 2013, poison centers received reports of 3,032 exposures to energy drinks; of those, 1,834 were children 18 and younger.

 Also keep in mind the long term effects this may have on children.

• According to http://www.healthline.com/health-news/children-who-drink-energy-drinks-higher-risk-drug-use-020714....New research demonstrates a connection between the consumption of energy drinks and the use of alcohol and drugs among adolescents.

There is absolutely no reason that young children should have access to consume these drinks at all. What example are we setting for our future by consenting to this? We all have natural energy in our bodies, we know how much energy children have already....they do not need a "boost" of any type. 

We need to work together and take a stand on this issue. This cannot be ignored any longer.....we have to do what is right, not what makes a company money.