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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - An aboriginal sports group is calling for a ban on so-called energy drinks following an incident where some students became ill after consuming caffeinated beverages and caffeine pills at lunch break.

Greg Hopf, assistant executive director of the Aboriginal Sports Circle, said several students from William McDonald school had to have their stomachs pumped at hospital following the incident.

Caffeine-loaded products such as these are causing potentially fatal health problems for many people, including some Yellowknife youths. - George Lessard/NNSL photo Guidelines Health Canada's recommendations on caffeine intake for children 12 years of age and under as of September, 2007: Ages 4-6: 45 milligrams per day Ages 7-9: 62.5 milligrams per day Ages 10-12: 85 milligrams per day

"About three weeks ago, they were out on lunch (break) and drank a bunch of these drinks and also popped some caffeine pills at the same time," he said.

"They were so sick they had to be taken to the hospital to have their stomachs pumped. These things are so dangerous."

William McDonald principal Deborah Maguire confirmed the incident, but said the students in question were from St. Joseph Catholic school who are currently at William McDonald while their school undergoes construction for a retrofit. She said she wasn't sure how many students consumed the pills and drinks or how many were taken to hospital.

When asked about the incident, St. Joe's principal Flo Campbell said she knew nothing about it and Claudia Parker, assistant superintendent with Yellowknife Catholic Schools, wouldn't discuss the incident. However, Parker did say Yellowknife Catholic Schools is in support of any educational program dealing with the pros and cons of energy drinks.

If you go to a convenience store or supermarket in Yellowknife, chances are you'll see a shelf or two dedicated to nothing but energy drinks. Brands like Rockstar, Red Bull and Beaver Buzz are some of the more common brands, but the Aboriginal Sports Circle is looking to have the sale of such beverages barred to those under 18.

The group wants to ban the sale of high-caffeine drinks to youth younger than 18 due to possible health problems associated with their consumption. Some of the canned drinks contain as much as 160 mg of caffeine - almost twice the recommended daily intake for children ages 10-12.

"At the Co-op, they have 17 different types of these drinks," said Jan Larsson, the sports circle's executive director.

"There's nothing energizing about these drinks whatsoever. They have no nutritional value for youth. The companies who produce these drinks are doing nothing but creating a caffeine dependency or addiction."

Ben Walker, manager of the Yellowknife Direct Co-op, could not be reached for comment by press time.

A recent study by Dr. Scott Willoughby from the Cardiovascular Research Centre in Adelaide, Australia showed drinking just one sugar-free Red Bull could cause blood to thicken, which could raise the risk of heart attacks and stroke.

Another study by the Johns Hopkins Institute showed a danger of people becoming addicted to energy drinks and experiencing potentially fatal side-effects.

In July, the territorial government released the results of a survey on addictions in the NWT. The government polled residents aged 15 and up.

Damien Healy, manager of communications with Health and Social Services, said there were several reasons why they only surveyed people 15 and up. He said data from anyone under the age of 15 would be questionable in a phone survey.

"Its difficult to get kids at that age to be honest and give us a good answer if the parents are around," he said.

Healy also said the GNWT's survey methodology is based on federal government guidelines which encourage use of respondents aged 15 or older.

Yellowknifer also attempted to reach Dr. Andre Corriveau, the NWT's chief medical officer, regarding both the William McDonald incident, as well as health issues relating to energy drinks, but was unable to reach him as of press time.

The main drawing point of these drinks is increased energy and alertness, but on a sports level, some coaches are trying to keep kids away from them at all costs.

"We don't use them at all," said Al Cook, high-performance coach at the Yk Racquet Club. "I always encourage the kids to drink water and use no supplements whatsoever to help build their heart rate."

Dan Schofield, Yk Minor Hockey bantam development coach, also urges water consumption.

"We allow water on the bench during games, before games and after games, but we try and keep the kids away from them," he said.

Although the coaches are against the drinks, they both say it will be hard to ban them outright.

"It would be tough to do," Cook said. "It could be looked at, for sure, but I think coaches should be the ones providing guidance when it comes to that."

"If it happens, it will take a long time," Schofield said. "I would think they would have to gather opinions of others around the territory, so it won't happen right away."

The sports circle had a meeting with Education, Culture and Employment Minister Jackson Lafferty to talk about the effect of the drinks on school children. Lafferty wasn't available for comment as of press time.

Larsson said the meeting went well but he hopes the NWT Teachers' Association will eventually get involved in their fight to place the ban.

-with files from Brodie Thomas