'I Love Blow' energy drink offensive to many
By Angelica Thornton and KATU Web StaffPORTLAND, Ore. - A new energy drink is causing a lot of controversy, and the name alone is sure to grab your attention. It's called "I Love Blow," named after the well-known street name for cocaine. The obvious question here - is this something that should be banned, or is it simply something to laugh about?
When we showed the powdered energy drink to people, some got a good laugh. "I don't even know what to say to that. That's funny," one person told us. But most of those we talked to, especially parents, were appalled. "That's pushing it. That's definitely crossing the line," one person told us. "I think it's the worst idea ever," another said. 'I Love Blow' is mailed to you in a white Styrofoam box that's meant to look like a brick of cocaine. The package is covered with a scorpion sticker and photos of what looks like cocaine being produced and packaged.
Open the box, and it gets even more outrageous. There are several vials of white powder, a mirror and a credit card for chopping before you pour the powder into a drink.
"It's despicable," he said. "It's beyond irresponsible. And we just think it glorifies an illegal drug that is inherently dangerous." 'I Love Blow' is sold online, at convenience stores and in bars and clubs in every state in the U.S. The maker, Logan Gola, said he's going after the ultra-hip party crowd. "It's sexy. It's edgy. It's also tongue in cheek. No one should take it too seriously," he said. There is a warning on the product saying it's not for people younger than 18 and Gola said he's not worried about his kids getting their hands on it, so you shouldn't either.
But Schulberg believes the energy drink should not be used as a teaching tool. He thinks it's the last thing that would deter kids from using real cocaine. "It's up to parents to educate their kids about cocaine - how addictive it is, how people die from it, how it's ruined so many lives in this area, and that you want to stay away from it," he said. "It's not fun. It's not cool. It's dangerous." Aside from the marketing, 'I Love Blow' is some pretty powerful stuff. One vial of the powder is equivalent to seven cans of Coke. The FDA has even sent the company a letter, warning Gola to clean up his product's image. The letter states the energy drink is an unapproved drug "intended to affect the structure or function of the body." But Gola and his lawyers say every aspect of his product is legal. He even claims to have received a death threat but vows he's not going to change a thing. |
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"I wonder what hole that these folks crawled out of to market this stuff?" said Pete Schulberg with Oregon Partnership. The non-profit's goal is to educate kids about drug abuse.
"I would say to those parents that they need to relax," he said. "They need to step up and take personal responsibility for educating their children about addiction. And I think this is the perfect opportunity for that to happen." 
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