As of before winter break, the school has decided to add the energy drink Alani to the school cafeteria. This tasty yet caffeine packed drink has sparked some controversy around the school. Although the school has sold other energy drinks such as Bubblr and kickstart for a while now, those don’t have nearly as much caffeine as Alani does. Bubblr has about 69 mg. caffeine and kickstart has about 68-92 mg., while just one can of Alani has 200mg of caffeine; double the daily recommended amount of caffeine intake for a high school student, which is 100mg.
Could this be a good thing for the students of Warren though? Many students rely on energy drinks to get through the day, which although is not ideal for their health, is what works for them. It helps many students get through the day, focus in class, and stay engaged. It is beneficial if a student has forgotten their much needed caffeine at home and needs a little pick-me-up to get them through the day. Caffeine provides a much needed energy boost and can be very beneficial, boosting creativity as well as energy and productivity. Alani also offers many tasty, creative, and unusual flavors that students favor, such as orange kiss and pink slush. Also, high school students are old enough to be responsible around caffeine and limit their intake, so it should not be a problem that it is offered. 
However, this also comes with a negative side. Excess caffeine makes many students anxious, actually leading to a worse attention span and decreased focus. Caffeine also usually leads to a crash, when not supplied. So these students who regularly drink highly caffeinated drinks, may not be able to function when they don’t have access to caffeine. Caffeine is also just overall bad for your health, it is a drug and should not be consumed regularly. Also, relying on caffeine may make students overlook the importance of getting enough sleep, which is crucial.
Overall, caffeine has some pros and cons and in the end it’s up to you to decide how you want to treat it. Although highly caffeinated beverages such as Alani may not be the best for students’ health, sometimes they are needed, and it is a good thing that the school offers that option.
