3.      Energy drinks – How did this get to be such a huge problem?  It seems like this industry exploded into a billion-dollar behemoth overnight.  These things are bad news…they contain fistfuls of sugar, and introduce your student’s still-maturing digestive system to copious amounts of ginseng, taurine, guarana, and other ingredients I can’t pronounce.  The research is inconclusive, but it suggests that prolonged use of energy drinks do a number on a person’s liver, kidneys, and heart.  What you can do:  Let the parent know your concerns.  Tell the parent what happens when their student “crashes” a couple of hours after guzzling an energy drink the size of an oil can.