HARTFORD SAYS NO TO NEW “HIGH ENERGY DRINK”

---NEWS RELEASE---

(April 18, 2007)--- Mayor Eddie A. Perez, Attorney General Richard Blumenthal, and several neighborhood leaders and merchants are standing in solidarity to keep a new high energy drink called “Cocaine” off local store shelves and away from Hartford youngsters.

Mayor Perez says, “I stand here today as a parent and as Mayor.  Together, the people of Hartford have worked hard to make this city a great place to live, work, play and raise a family.  We want to give young people positive choices.  However, this new product tries to undo everything we worked so hard to achieve.  For instance, there’s a dramatic decrease in crime this year from last year’s historic lows and there’s an increase in educational standards and accountability.  We can’t allow this product to distract or deter our city from moving forward.”

Attorney General Blumenthal congratulated Mayor Perez for being the first Mayor to take this kind of decisive action.  He goes on to say, “Naming this product ‘Cocaine’ is an insult to anyone seeking to deter and discourage illegal drug use.  As a parent, I was outraged to learn this drink is sold in stores across the state, contributing to an aura and mystique surrounding illegal drug use, especially for children.”

Neighborhood leaders from all corners of the city say they will not tolerate this targeting of inner city youth.  They too stressed positive choices and not negative marketing campaigns should attract the attention of our youth.

Redux Beverages, LLC is the manufacturer of this product.  It is on notice from the Attorney General and the Food and Drug Administration that this drink is illegally marketed as a street drug alternative and a dietary supplement.