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2010/13: Should the AFL prohibit players' use of caffeine and sleeping pills?
Video clip at right:
TOP: A July 6, 2010 ABC 7.30 Report segment on the aftermath of Ben Cousins' hospitalisation.
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What they said...
'I just don't really see what this issue is'
Brisbane Lion's coach Michael Voss
'It is a very bad look when role models are actually doing this'
World Anti-doping Agency president John Fahey
The issue at a glance
On July 5, 2010, Richmond midfielder, Ben Cousins, was hospitalised after having had an adverse reaction to sleeping tablets.
Cousins is notorious for his previous drug use and has been making a well-publicised attempt to remain drug-free since beginning to play with Richmond.
The episode has prompted a great deal of speculation and discussion about the supposed inter-related use of caffeine and sleeping tablets by AFL players. It has been claimed that caffeine is used as a performance-enhancer and then sleeping tablets are used by players whose caffeine stimulated state makes it difficult for them to sleep.
There are those who claim that the general response to Ben Cousin's hospitalisation has been exaggerated. Others have argued that the AFL needs to extend its anti-doping drugs policy to include caffeine and take steps to limit players use of sleeping tablets.
The Victoria Premier, Mr Brumby, has publicly expressed regret at the poor example the use of 'uppers' and 'downers' by AFL players sets for others in the community.
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