Several months ago, we blogged about a controversy over a high-caffeine drink called Cocaine. Now it has been pulled from shelves nationwide. Its producer, Redux Beverages of Las Vegas, was disappointed — and, based on this quote Redux partner Clegg Ivey gave to the Associated Press, a bit confused: “[W]e intended for Cocaine energy drink to be a legal alternative the same way that celibacy is an alternative to premarital sex.” Huh?
Anyway … shortly after blogging about Cocaine, I came across an expensive little ad insert for Opium, a line of perfume created in 1977 by Yves Saint-Laurent. Here is one description of its allure: “Opium arouses the senses with an exotic blend of lush florals, rich spices, and deep wood notes.”
While it is true that Opium has been the source of controversy — see this Wikipedia article — that controversy was in fact centered on an ad picturing a naked woman, and not the druggy name.
So here’s my question: If Cocaine the energy drink is pulled because it’s supposed to have a bad influence on the teenagers who drink it, shouldn’t Opium the perfume be pulled because it’s supposed to have a bad influence — deep wood notes, remember — on the well-heeled women who anoint their bodies with it?
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The FDA orgnization must be in terrible shape to make the “Cocaine” drink a priority over the many actual issues that require its attention.
The FDA orgnization must be in terrible shape to make the “Cocaine” drink a priority over the many actual issues that require its attention.
Maybe it’s because cocaine is more common in today’s society (in the US). While there are plenty of opiates out there which may derive from opium or poppies, people don’t go out to a street corner to score some opium, and there isn’t a prevalence of opium dens here. So cocaine just has the distinction of having a more prominent place in our drug culture. So the powers that be are more sensitive to having its name attached to something legal.
Plus, opium is probably seen as more exotic and removed from current American culture. Whereas cocaine is much more raw and, well, an ordinary fixture of the underbelly of our society.
Judging from my own reaction – I don’t have as strong a visceral reaction against a perfume names opium as I do against a drink named Cocaine.
Maybe it’s because cocaine is more common in today’s society (in the US). While there are plenty of opiates out there which may derive from opium or poppies, people don’t go out to a street corner to score some opium, and there isn’t a prevalence of opium dens here. So cocaine just has the distinction of having a more prominent place in our drug culture. So the powers that be are more sensitive to having its name attached to something legal.
Plus, opium is probably seen as more exotic and removed from current American culture. Whereas cocaine is much more raw and, well, an ordinary fixture of the underbelly of our society.
Judging from my own reaction – I don’t have as strong a visceral reaction against a perfume names opium as I do against a drink named Cocaine.
Opium perfume is aimed at a much higher-end and older market than was Cocaine the drink. I have no doubt that’s why there’s less controversy over its name.
Opium perfume is aimed at a much higher-end and older market than was Cocaine the drink. I have no doubt that’s why there’s less controversy over its name.
The FDA has a fairly weak argument. Essentially they are saying that Redux was marketing the drink illegally as a dietary supplement and as an alternative to real cocaine.
I don’t think they would be able to prove this if it went to court, but their pressure combined with politicians threatening to outlaw the drink is probably not worth the battle.
I don’t agree with the FDA’s action. I think they should be focused on more important issues and family values is out of their arena.
Also, since Cocaine is consumed and Opium is worn, I’m sure the FDA can justify their double standard.
The FDA has a fairly weak argument. Essentially they are saying that Redux was marketing the drink illegally as a dietary supplement and as an alternative to real cocaine.
I don’t think they would be able to prove this if it went to court, but their pressure combined with politicians threatening to outlaw the drink is probably not worth the battle.
I don’t agree with the FDA’s action. I think they should be focused on more important issues and family values is out of their arena.
Also, since Cocaine is consumed and Opium is worn, I’m sure the FDA can justify their double standard.