A new energy drink called 'Cocaine,' marketed as the "legal alternative" to the real thing, is being attacked by lawmakers and health officials in New York, where the product is being launched, the New York Times reported Oct. 3.

The drink contains no cocaine but lots of caffeine; critics say it glamorized use of illicit drugs. "There are only two reasons that you would seek to use this infamous and insidious name to market your so-called energy drink," said Councilman James Sanders Jr. of Queens. "Either you are woefully ignorant of the horrors of cocaine addiction, or your god is the dollar bill, and not even human life is more sacred."

Redux Beverages LLC is selling the Cocaine drink in New York, Los Angeles, and San Diego. A website for the drink says the company doesn't advocate drug use but lists alcoholic drink suggestions like Liquid Cocaine, Cocaine Smash, Cocaine Blast, and Cocaine Snort.

Joseph A. Califano Jr., chairman and president of the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University, said the drink is "clearly aimed at children and teen 'partygoers.'"

The Cocaine drink has three times more caffeine than energy drinks like Red Bull. "This is a salted, heavily caffeinated, sugary drink with extra calories that nobody needs," said New York University nutrition expert Marion Nestle. "It's a souped-up Gatorade. This product has minimal nutritional value."

Assemblyman Karim Camara of the Bronx called Cocaine "the height of irresponsibility for any company." But Redux founder James T. Kirby said, "I think most people are smart, and they know the difference between an energy drink and a Class A narcotic."

Critics called for health authorities to investigate the product, but since energy drinks are classified as dietary supplements rather than foods, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has little power to regulate them.