EIGHTEEN SCHOOL CHILDREN SICKENED BY PEP PILLS

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) Eighteen children suffered nausea and stomach cramps
Tuesday after consuming powder from caffeine-based "energy" capsules at school.

The 11- and 12-year-old students from Kingswood Elementary School were taken
to hospitals for treatment and observation after ingesting up to the
caffeine equivalent of 16 cups of coffee.

A student brought the capsules to school and will be disciplined, officials
said.

The pills are one of several caffeine-based brands sold as energy-enhancing
substances. They are sold over the counter but not allowed at the school.

The fifth- and sixth-graders who became ill opened up the capsules and put
the powder in food or drink. On Monday, six youngsters at the school
sprinkled the powder on instant soup, but none got sick.

One capsule contains 200 mg of caffeine, roughly the same amount in two cups
of coffee.

Checked-by: Melodi Cornett