A teacher has quit the profession because she is sick of children ‘pumped up and high on energy drinks’ ruining lessons and swearing at her.
Laura Douglas, 38, described how she had seen ‘big, strong hormonal lads’ pushing teachers around in corridors and threatening other pupils.
The fed up former teacher said children were using the drinks to elevate their mood, causing huge problems in British schools.
Laura Douglas, 38, described how she had seen ‘big, strong hormonal lads’ pushing teachers around in corridors and threatening other pupils
‘This is a genuinely massive problem for teachers,’ she told The Mirror.
‘They pump them up and make them high when they might already be sleep-deprived, hungry and grumpy.
‘I have seen big, strong hormonal lads shoving teachers in corridors, threatening other pupils and staff. They’re tanked-up with bravado, raring to go.’
Earlier this month Jamie Oliver launched a campaign for the sale of ‘addictive’ energy drinks to children to be banned.
The fed up former teacher said children were using the drinks to elevate their mood, causing huge problems in British schools. File photo of energy drinks at a convenience store
The father-of-five claims teachers across the country are forced to change their lesson plans every day as youngsters are unable to concentrate while suffering the ‘highs’ of energy drink consumption.
Jamie, who successfully campaigned for healthier school dinners and a sugar tax, believes this is affecting other students, which impacts the grades and future career prospects of the younger generation.
He is urging people to tweet Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt supporting a ban with the hashtag #notforchildren.
Energy drinks, which have previously been linked to headaches, abdominal pain and insomnia, can contain around 160mg of caffeine, despite 105mg being the safe daily limit for 11 year olds.
Jamie Oliver(seen out and about in London on October 5, 2017) launched a campaign for the sale of ‘addictive’ energy drinks to children to be banned
Professor Steven Lipshultz, pediatric cardiologist at the Children’s Hospital of Michigan in Detroit previously said a 10-year-old could get caffeine poisoning after consuming 80mg of caffeine, while a 12-year-old may suffer symptoms, including hallucinations and convulsions, after 100mg.
Sales of the energy drinks, such as Red Bull and Monster, in the UK increased by 185 per cent between 2006 and 2015, making the market worth more than £2 billion.
Referencing a school in Norwood, South East London, Jamie told the Mirror: ‘If you’re still in any doubt about a ban you just have to look at a generation of underpaid, underloved teachers who’re sitting there with a plan A, B and C for a lesson – and if two or three kids turn up having had an energy drink, then it’s straight to plan B – to know this is wrong.
‘These drinks are turning our kids into addicts. Their use is, in my mind, akin to drugs.’
Chris Keates, General Secretary of the NASUWT – said: ‘The NASUWT is concerned about the very high levels of caffeine and sugar these drinks contain and their impact on pupil behaviour in schools.
‘The ready availability of many of these drinks are undoubtedly part of the reason why so many pupils are consuming them before and during the school day.
‘Action is needed to regulate the sale of these drinks, which are effectively readily available legal highs at dinner money prices. The Government needs to act.’
Children as young as 12 are guzzling energy drinks so they can stay up late to play video games
Previous research has linked energy drinks, such as Red Bull, to obesity. File photo of an unbranded energy drink
Children as young as 12 are guzzling energy drinks to help them stay up late and play video games, experts warned in October last year.
Young people are attracted to such drinks due to their promises of enhanced energy, as well as their low cost and ready availability, a study reveals.
Previous research has linked energy drinks, such as Red Bull, to obesity, heart abnormalities and even sudden death due to their high-sugar and caffeine content.
Excessive caffeine causes cells to release calcium, which negatively influences heart rates, putting people at risk of fatal attacks.
Most energy-drink consumers are unaware of the products’ main ingredients, health implications or appropriate serving sizes, the current study adds.
Study author Dr Jacinta Francis from the Telethon Kids Institute in Perth, said: ‘Drinking energy drinks to stay alert while playing video games was a common theme that emerged through all of the age groups.
‘I think for the young gamers it would be wise to ban energy drinks.’