Further implications
It seems unlikely that the AFL will prohibit the use of either caffeine or sleeping tablets. What is likely to occur is that all clubs will become rigorous in the way in which they monitor their players use of both caffeine and sleeping tablets.Some clubs have officially stated that they are already very careful about their players' caffeine consumption and their sleeping tablet use.
West Coast coach, John Worsfold, who is a qualified pharmacist, has stated, 'There's very strict medical guidelines around the use of caffeine to make sure it's safe and players are at no risk of any harm.
If players are using caffeine tablets, they use it within those medical strict guidelines. If players want to use caffeine tablets they don't supply it themselves, it's given to them with strict guidelines.
They're counselled on it, they're counselled on the effects of it, and then it's their choice.'
This appears to be the approach the AFL as a whole is likely to adopt.
Given that neither caffeine nor sleeping tablets are illegal, nor prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency, it seems likely that the AFL's approach will be an extension of what some clubs claim is happening now. Players will be supplied with detailed information on the effects of caffeine and what are safe dosages. They will also be supplied with information on the effects of sleeping tablets, their potential hazards and the dangers of combining them with alcohol or other medication.
If, after being supplied with such information, a player chooses to use either caffeine or sleeping tablets then the choice is likely to be his.
What is likely, is that any systematic use of either caffeine supplements or sleeping tablets by a particular club will cease. It has been claimed that some clubs have actively encouraged their players to take caffeine supplements and that some coaches have actually distributed them. If this is true, given the current negative publicity surrounding the issue, the practice is unlikely to continue.
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has indicated that it is going to reconsider the status of caffeine. Were WADA to reimpose a ban on caffeine then the AFL would similarly prohibit the substance as it abides completely by WADA's Prohibited List. However, it seems unlikely that WADA will ban caffeine.
Individuals metabolise caffeine at different rates; this makes testing for caffeine levels quite problematic. It is also the case that significant amounts of caffeine can be consumed in legally available drinks and foods. This means that a player's caffeine levels could be elevated at the time of testing without his having deliberately taken supplements intended to enhance his onfield performance.
Recent news reports have indicated that some medical authorities are concerned about the effect of high-caffeine drinks, particularly when consumed with alcohol. Caffeine-based energy drinks are banned in France, Denmark and Norway. There are more than five hundred of such drinks available in Australia where the energy drink industry is worth some $180 million annually. Any move to ban these drinks is likely to be fought by the industry.
There is also the possibility that the sale of caffeine tablets to the general community will be regulated. They are currently available without restriction and some pharmacists have noted a surge in their sale since the publicity resulting from the Ben Cousins incident.