Teens Drinking Fruity-flavored Gelatin Containing Alcohol - Zippers and Jello Shots

There's a new front in the fight to keep alcohol away from kids. A national anti-drug coalition is alerting parents about the he rising popularity of Zippers, which are packaged cups of fruity-flavored gelatin and alcohol. Zippers are being marketed by a small Ohio company as the first commercially produced version of "Jell-O shots," the sweet, chilled concoctions that have long been a staple at beach bars and college parties. Zippers, with their bright colors and cheery labels, also look like the gelatin dessert packs that thousands of boys and girls take to school each day and misuse the alcoholic beverage. Drug-prevention officials are hearing complaints from parents of struggling teens and school administrators that Zippers could make it too easy for troubled boys and girls to sneak alcohol into school. Many troubled teens don’t know how to overcome the problems that they are faced with and many need to be placed in the correct environment in order to restore themselves. Zion Educational Services educates you on how to place troubled teenage boys and girls in the correct environment in order to receive the help they need to overcome their struggles with the misuse of alcohol and drugs. For immediate assistance contact ZES to speak with a child placing specialist at 888-597-9495.

Zippers may be dangerous because they come packaged in containers that look like any other snack pack or after-school snack troubled teens may put in their lunch box. They are being marketed in ways that appeal to an underage audience, especially teenage boys and girls. Burt Brooks rejects the notion that the Toledo, Ohio, company that he started with several friends is marketing its products to teens. Zippers, he says, are aimed at the adult group that is most likely to enjoy sweet, alcoholic drinks. Brooks also notes that Zippers' packaging is clearly marked with a government alcohol warning and a picture of a baby with a red slash through it, indicating that the product isn't for kids or teenagers. "We went above and beyond what the states and federal government require.

Zippers, which unlike regular gelatin snack packs require refrigeration. They are sold in bars, liquor stores, and groceries stores in 26 states. Each gelatin cup contains 12% alcohol and has about the same potency as a glass of wine. Hope Taft, the wife of Ohio Gov. Bob Taft, is among those speaking out against Zippers. She says parents of troubled teens in her state have been calling a drug-prevention resource center in Cincinnati about Zippers. "Products like these and wine coolers cause us great concern because they are very appealing to young people," says Taft, the mother of a college senior.

"They all have colorful, creative labeling and catchy names. The packaging is sort of disguised." Lily Heil, 12, a seventh-grade student from McLean, Va., agrees that troubled teens at school could easily pass off Zippers as regular gelatin snack packs. "Once you rip off the lid that says it has alcohol," she says, "it looks just like Jell-O."

Meanwhile, Zippers seem to be a hit among some bar owners. "I have five people at least on a busy night doing nothing but selling these things," says Gingi Bakri, who owns Cotton Eyed Joes, a 30,000 square-foot country music bar in Knoxville, Tenn. He says he sells about 10,000 Zippers a month at his bar for $2 or $3 each. "The profit margin on these things is unbelievable," says Bakri, who buys Zippers wholesale. "You get a good-looking girl or guy selling these things, and everyone wants to try it."

Now a lot of parents don’t know how to deal with children drinking at such young ages and many parents don’t know the correct way to restore their struggling teen and need a professional to educate them. For parents that need immediate assistance dealing with an out of control teen, Zion Educational Services specializes in educating parents about different youth programs for troubled teens such as different types of boarding schools, boot camps, Christian boarding schools and many other youth facilities for both boys and girls. ZES provides you with the information to place your troubled teen in the perfect teen treatment center for you and your troubled teen. If you have any questions or concerns contact ZES, (Zion Education Services) immediately to talk to a child placing specialist at 888-597-9495.