Indiana school district bans energy, supplement drinks

THORNTOWN, Ind. (AP) - A school district in central Indiana is banning nutritional supplements and energy drinks from its campuses.

The Western Boone County Community School Corporation held separate meetings for parents and students on Wednesday to inform them of the new districtwide policy.

School district officials told WRTV-TV (http://bit.ly/1DBuLRH ) that they were becoming increasingly concerned about students' health. Jason Mulligan, athletic director at Western Boone Junior-Senior High School, said many students who participate in weight training classes have been seen drinking supplement shakes and using energy boosters.

The district says the ban specifically targets products with creatine and nitric oxide, which can cause heart irregularities, problems with the central nervous system and even strokes.

Students who bring any of the now-banned items will face suspension.

"What they choose to do when they're not in school is a different story," Superintendent Judi Hendrix said. "We can't control that, but what they do while they're in school, that's the message we want to send - while you're here, this is what we stand for and this is what we think is right."

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Information from: WRTV-TV, http://www.theindychannel.com/index.html