Leal WE, et al. - Researchers determined if energy drink consumption contributes to drug use and, more specifically, an escalation in the severity of drug use. Initially, they examined the association between energy drink use and hard drug use, and subsequently investigated if soft drug use mediates this relationship. Findings demonstrated that energy drinks could initiate the drug use cycle. Energy drink use increases soft drug use, and indirectly increases hard drug use. Younger females and older males showed stronger mediating role of soft drugs. Compared to the presumptions, energy drinks could present a greater public health threat.