Batelli says complaints were brought against three Mahwah High School students after they were found to have, or be intoxicated by, Four Loko, which has an alcohol content of 12 percent, comparable to wine.
The Centers for Disease Control says mixing alcohol with energy drinks or pre-caffeinated alcohol drinks can mask the depressant effects of alcohol.
Caffeine at the same time does not affect metabolism of alcohol by the liver.
The CDC says drinkers of the beverages are three times more likely to binge drink.
The result is that drinkers do not realize how drunk they are becoming and pass out.
The term "roofies in a can" refers to the so-called date rape drug Rohypnol used to render victims unconscious.
The CDC says drinkers who consume alcohol with energy drinks are about twice as likely to report being taken advantage of sexually or report taking advantage of someone else sexually than those who drink alcoholic beverages without caffeine.
There are more than 25 brands of caffeinated alcoholic beverages sold in the United States. In New Jersey they are sold only in liquor stores.
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