Lincoln County Middle School bans energy drinks on school grounds

STANFORD, Ky. ( FOX 56 ) — Lincoln County Middle School is cracking down on energy drinks.

Principal Lauren Burnett told FOX 56 that, to her knowledge, it’s the only school in the state so far to officially ban the popular refreshments.

She said the health and well-being of students are simply too precious to risk, as middle school students are at a very vulnerable age.

“Not only do our students have developing brains, but they also have hormones. They have bodies that they are not used to. The energy level is already off the hook in maintaining those moods. They don’t need any help with that,” Burnett said.

The school’s newest school resource officer, James Mayfield, noticed over time how popular cracking open an energy drink became among the student body.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that adolescents do not consume energy drinks, but if they do, health experts say 100 milligrams of caffeine should be the maximum per day.

“Which on the low end, you know, you’re talking Red Bulls have 160 to 180 milligrams,” said Mayfield. “Then, on a high end, you’re talking Bang, Celsius, Heat, and Rockstar, they can hold up to 300 milligrams. And they’re not consuming, you know, just one or a half of one. They’re consuming several a day.”

He said some students consumed up to six cans a day. In the last few weeks, two students were sent to the hospital with racing heart rates. School staff said the symptoms were traced back to energy drink consumption.

“It is a scary thing because you really don’t know what the end results are going to be,” Mayfield added.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, downing an energy drink can put you at risk for anxiety, depression, strokes, and more. That’s why the school decided to follow through with Officer Mayfield’s proposal to ban energy drinks altogether.

“We can’t keep supplying our kids with these substances and it really it starts at home,” said Burnett. “You know, the school we are here, we are their parents while they’re with us. But outside of these walls, we need community and parent support as well.”

She said this also opens the door to more conversations about other health concerns.

LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS

• Stanton hosts ‘Derby at the Drive-In’
• Solar farm proposed for eastern Fayette County
• Lexington priest presents Pope Francis with UK basketball jersey

“As we know, there’s an epidemic of vaping. For example, teenagers are exposed earlier and sooner than ever before. And so, this has opened up that dialog to have that conversation as well about what it’s doing to your body and your mind,” she concluded.

Burnett and Mayfield tell me they hope this effort will help eliminate anxiety, decrease behavioral problems, and boost student focus in the classroom.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 56 News.