Acting Governor Richard Codey declared March "National Caffeine Awareness Month," but coffee drinkers and energy drink junkies on campus question the likelihood that they will give up their drug.
The awareness month is the result of advocacy efforts by the Caffeine Awareness Alliance, a nonprofit organization dedicated to curtailing excessive caffeine consumption. It hopes to educate Americans about the negative consequences of their endemic caffeine addictions.
Marina Kushner, founder of the Alliance, started the program three years ago after overcoming her own caffeine addiction.
"I was drinking pot after pot after pot [of coffee] every day," Kushner said. "For over 10 years, I suffered from chronic insomnia, irritability, mood swings and extreme difficulty in concentration."
Kushner is not alone in her excessive caffeine consumption. According to a government study, 30 million Americans drink five or more cups of coffee a day.
This trend is especially evident on college campuses, where students consume coffee and soft drinks regularly, Kushner said.
Page Cassin '07 gave up caffeine for Lent because she "was drinking way too much coffee."
"The first few days were really difficult," she said. "I got a headache [and was] tired all the time. But actually I feel a lot better now and I can get up in the morning."
Claire Addis '07 said that she drinks five to six cups of coffee each day. "I have a cup on my way to class, one in between classes, two at dinner and then one at night," Addis explained.
Other students get their caffeine fix through soda. Diana Weiner '07 admits she used to be addicted to Diet Coke. "I would have it for breakfast," Weiner said. "But now I gave it up completely."
U-2 employee John Boyko said students frequently come into the store to purchase excessive amounts of caffeine-rich beverages. "I've seen people buy eight Rockstars at one time," said Boyko, referring to a high-caffeine energy drink.
Cassin does not believe the creation of National Caffeine Awareness Month will help others kick their coffee or soda addiction.
"No one's really heard of it," she said.
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