‘Caffeine overdose’ in school: “Misleading info online irresponsible, unscrupulous”

CEBU, Philippines - An official of Concord Technical Institute, Inc. in Barangay Basak-San Nicolas, Cebu City has criticized what he called "irresponsible and unscrupulous" spread of misleading and false information on the situation of 34 students who suffered caffeine overdose after drinking free samples of Kopiko 78°C.

He said the wrong information posted online has alarmed not just school officials and faculty but even the students' relatives abroad.

Joseph Ty, the school's safety officer, said what was supposed to be just an internal crisis blew out of proportion due to misleading information that spread on Facebook.

The students, who were earlier reported to have numbered 29, were diagnosed with caffeine overdose after drinking the free samples offered at the school by a private distributor.

He said the inaccurate information posted online was "irresponsible and unscrupulous," taking into account the unfavorable result it brought.

Last September 28, the free samples were distributed in the school, but supposedly for college students. The samples ended up being given to 32 minors and only to two students above 18 years old.

The students then started complaining of abdominal pains, palpitation, headache, and suffered vomiting.

The students were then brought to the hospital after the school administration coordinated with emergency response units, with the Kopiko 78°C being blamed for the incident.

Last September 29, Cebu City Medical Center doctors revealed the victims all showed signs of caffeine intoxication.

Ty said the school is still waiting for the official result of the sample of the offered drinks, which was subjected to laboratory examination by the Department of Science and Technology. (FREEMAN)