Connecticut Governor Proclaims March as Caffeine Awareness Month

Hartford, CT - (February 29, 2008) Governor M. Jodi Rell has issued an official statement declaring March 2008 as National Caffeine Awareness Month. This will be the first year that the state of Connecticut is hosting this annual event. Governor Rell stated that "caffeine is a stimulant drug that is found in varying quantities in the beans, leaves, and fruit of over 60 plants. The State of Connecticut is dedicated to informing its citizens about the importance of caffeine awareness."

The event is sponsored by the Caffeine Awareness Alliance, a non-profit organization, who is committed to the physical, mental, and emotional wellness of the public whose lives have been affected by their misuse of, or dependency on caffeine. "The Caffeine Awareness Alliance is one of the world’s leading information resources on caffeine intoxication and dependence issues surrounding this drug" stated the Governor. Marina Kushner, founder of the organization, replied "I’m delighted the Governor supports our cause. Excessive caffeine consumption is at an all time high in America."

Kushner, a reformed coffee drinker, said "most caffeine addicts have no idea that they are addicts. But, with as little as 200 mg of caffeine, you can experience typical addictive symptoms such as irritability, restlessness, tension, insomnia, excitement, and gastrointestinal disturbance. If you boost that level to more than 1 gram (1000 mg), you can get irregular heartbeats, panic and anxiety disorders, muscle twitching, incoherent speech, excessive urination, flushed skin, and depression. And, believe it or not, when you take over 5 grams of caffeine, the results can be fatal. This is one addiction you want to kick quickly!"

Kushner strives to educate consumers through her book, "The Truth About Caffeine- How Companies that Promote it Deceive Us and What We Can do About it" The book has been described by critics as a "wake-up call" about caffeine and reveals "frightening evidence" of the damage caffeine can cause The book exposes the serious physical and psychological effects of caffeine and the damaging effects it has to your health..

To learn more about Kushner's book, or National Caffeine Awareness Month, you can visit www.caffeineawareness.org or contact Marina Kushner at (815) 572-8007.