COMMUNITY COLLEGE STUDENT DIES OF CAFFEINE OVERDOSE

MOREHEAD CITY, N.C. (AP) -- A 20-year-old man died after swallowing dozens
of over-the-counter caffeine pills on a dare from a fellow community
college student.

Jason Warren Allen had swallowed most of a 90-pill bottle, which would be
the equivalent to drinking as many as 250 cups of coffee, authorities said.

"It's a terrible, terrible story,'' said Morehead City police Major Wrenn
Johnson. "No one suspects caffeine to be deadly.''

Allen was taking general education development classes at Cateret Community
College. He collapsed outside the college during a break from class Oct.
20. It wasn't known when he took the pills.

A security guard found him and called the rescue squad, which took him to
Carteret General Hospital, where he died Wednesday.

Authorities said it appeared that Allen died of heart rhythm irregularities
associated with the high dose of caffeine, which is a central nervous
system stimulant.

Prosecutor David McFayden said he wouldn't decide whether to pursue charges
until the police complete interviews and toxicology tests are in.

Checked-by: Mike Gogulski