I don't see anybody defending coke, or saying its not bad - some are more accepting of its use, some are happy to just leave folk to their own devices, and some are dead against it. The bigger point is that unfortunately it's now common place within the rugby league community, and particularly amongst players of both amateur and professional clubs. It's almost as much a part of the social scene as a beer nowadays - for most it goes hand in hand. It's sad, but true...

Someone mentioned a potential link with the apparent increase in heart issues amongst younger blokes in our sport and coke use - whilst I wouldn't necessarily tie it to coke, I have absolutely no doubt that a cocktail of various supplements (illegal and non-illegal), painkillers and recreational drugs are playing havoc with peoples long term health (both physical and mental) in our sport. I've seen first hand different super league players (current and ex) who's lives are an absolute mess because of a mixture of the above - often tied in with gambling problems too.

Coke is relatively cheap, leaves less of a hangover the next day and is becoming 'the norm' - it's easy to understand why it's the go to substance amongst the rugby league player demographic. What's even more ridiculous (and this is a sign of me starting to get old) is me and the couple of non-users at our club are actually ridiculed for being 'do-gooders' by the lads - it's all light hearted, but we're the ones who are seen as 'not being normal', because we're in the minority.

The discussion was coffee versus cocaine , other stimulant substances are available

Legalise it, tax it and hopefully we'll get better quality stuff.

can't believe I read that, I'll take that its tongue in cheek comment

Why? The time it's been cut with ket, plant food and gyprock dust it's more damaging. The Dutch have testing kits at nightclubs and the Portuguese have relaxed laws to great effect.

Whatever laws and systems we've got in place clearly aren't working.

That really progresses the discussion, and opens up a whole moral/ethical debate.

I absolute understand that sentiment, and for me the real exam question to ask is 'would cocaine as a legal substance really be any more damaging to society than tobacco or alchohol?' There's an arguement that legalising it would mean more people do it, so any current issues it cocain causes would be magnified beyond measure, and there's also an arguement that it would then drive those that currently do coke to something stronger (it being against the rules is part of its attraction).

I do like the basic principles of legalising and taxing it, but I'd need convincing by someone much more knowledgeable than me about the potential negatives and findings from other countries where it's legalised.

One thing I 100% agree on - the current laws and systems aren't working - it's no longer even taboo or hidden - the folk who are doing it have no shame about it, it's not even a consideration anymore, it's just something they do. But then we're living in an age where finding hook ups on the internet through 'tinder' is not only socially acceptable, it's openly discussed and encouraged (when did internet dating stop being something only a complete weirdo would do?), and when did being a fat slag has stopped being an insult and has become something to celebrate, it's now a pre-requisite for getting famous on shows like Love Island and Big Brother...... The world has gone stark raving mad!!!

I can completely relate to this, it's the same at my amateur club. Coke has become the norm for a large section of our team. As one of the older ones I'm quite happy with a few pints on a Saturday, & their use of coke doesn't adversely effect me or anyone around us from what I've noticed when out (alcohol was generally worse for that).

We also have a few lads who go on courses of steroids from time to time, and judging by some of the red-faced maniacs I come up against, it's the same at other amateur clubs. T5's, copious amounts of energy drinks, painkillers are all knocking around the changing room pre-match.

In countries where drugs are legalised there is less gang activity, less gang related violence and murders, fewer kidknappings, fewer hospitalisations and deaths because drugs are monitored and are safer, people can be educated more easily and widely on drugs and their use and effects, the NHS/Govt can earn money from their trade.....

There is not once single shred of evidence that the prohibition of drugs is a positive for society. NOT ONE!

Yes, this pretty much sums it up.

A professional sportsperson is expected to adhere to certain rules / restrictions, if they can't they they can expect a ban.

Exactly this.

Faux Daily Mail outrage noted.

Remember the old 80% of facts are made up on the spot line? Do you have anything to back up your supposition which would make professional rugby players more likely to short come than the general public?
It is sad to think that we have become blaze about the effects of our choices. The Mexican drugs war seems a long way away from a night out on Kings St (I know that will make you chuckle) but the links are real. The easy answer is decriminalization but that simply allows the criminals an outlet for the money that they earn from prostitution and the like. If you want to see what decriminalization looks like have a look at the figures for trafficked girls in the Netherlands or any of the other negatives that encouraging anti-social behaviour creates.

It's because of the vast amount of roids they're jacking up and charlie that they're tooting.