Wow. I was about to rant a bit in agreement with the OP, but a wee bit of research hath changed my mind. Caffeine isn't quite as harmful, nor addictive, as most people seem to think it is. According to webmd that is, which I understand is research based and pretty accurate in what they say. For anyone interested there's some interesting easy reading info here
Caffeine Facts: Addiction, Insomnia, Pregnancy Effects, and More .
I only drink an 8 oz cup in the morning, and sometimes the same mid afternoon. So I don't consider that a problem at all. It's actually supposed to have some health benefits. But I know some people who drinik large cups of starbucks all day long. One of those cups alone would give me some serious anxiety, and I know these people are getting mood altering effects from it. If ya don't think so, try to take it away from one of em.
Or try to take the coffee pot away from an AA meeting.
I never understood how or why at AA they tell a newcomer to grab a cup of coffee, relax, and take a seat. That's frikkken crazy. I never drank coffee before AA. I know a lot of people who never did. We all drank beer, wine, and wiskey. Coffee made me a nervous wreck until I learned to handle it. If there was anything I had the power to change in AA, it would be this tradition. But it ain't never happening... which makes me wonder about it all.
...if you really want to talk about something addictive and dangerous... we should be discussing sugar.