NRL to test players for prescription drugs

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Jethro

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The NRL is set to become the first governing sports body in Australia to test for prescription drugs and may also appoint independent doctors at matches to assess players for concussion.

The proposals were among the main topics at a two-day meeting of NRL officials and club bosses in Auckland before this weekend's Nines tournament, and Broncos chief executive Paul White said the game wanted to be a "world leader" in player welfare issues.

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The NRL is set to become the first governing sports body in Australia to test for prescription drugs and may also appoint independent doctors at matches to assess players for concussion.

The propos
jim_doyle__we_need_to_do_as_much_as_we_can_to_emph_519e6e175d1.jpg
als were among the main topics at a two-day meeting of NRL officials and club bosses in Auckland before this weekend's Nines tournament, and Broncos chief executive Paul White said the game wanted to be a "world leader" in player welfare issues.

A final decision on whether they are implemented will be made before the start of the season but the league is already preparing to take over testing of illicit substances from clubs.

NRL chief operating officer Jim Doyle said the focus on the testing would be to determine how widespread the misuse of prescription drugs was, and the NRL planned to educate players on the dangers of mixing sleeping pills and energy drinks before considering suspensions.

He said the NRL may eventually follow the lead of the Australian Olympic Committee and ban players from taking sleeping tablets but the first step would be to introduce testing and talks have already begun with the Rugby League Players' Association.

"It is something that we as a game have talked about internally for some time and we are working a lot with the players' association in regards to how do we progress this year and beyond with respect to that. We haven't landed on that 100 per cent yet but before the start of the season we will have completed what the NRL's 2014 illicit drugs
  • will consist of," Doyle said.

    Doyle said he was awaiting a report from the New Zealand Rugby League into allegations some players in the Kiwis' World Cup squad combined prescription drugs and energy drinks while on an alcohol ban during last year's seven-week tournament in Britain.

    However, he confirmed the NRL was not in a position to take any action against players as they had not taken a banned substance. "If you found out someone is taking something that is not banned then you can't suspend them for it but it is about the duty of care to the players," he said. "Do they really understand what they are doing to themselves and their bodies? Our focus will be to look at how big is the issue, what education and welfare can be put in place."

    While the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority tests players for performance-enhancing drugs, clubs are responsible for testing for illicit substances, such as cocaine and marijuana, and report their findings to the NRL.

    However, Doyle said the NRL planned to take that role over from the clubs and would include prescription drugs in the list of substances players were tested for. "It is not ASADA, we do our own testing and that will be part of it," he said.

    White said clubs supported allowing the NRL to test for prescription drugs as well as illicit substances. "The thing about this is that it is positive and the game is on the front foot," White said. "I know there are assertions about what might have happened with the New Zealand team but from where I sit as CEO I don't see it as being rampant. But I think this an opportunity as a game to work proactively with the game and the players themselves to identify a way that improves welfare."

    White also tabled a proposal at the meeting allowing players who lose a player with concussion in a match to be given a free interchange when he is replaced and returns. Doyle said the NRL was also considering providing an independent doctor at matches to decide whether a player needs to come from the field to be assessed. "We are looking at that, it would be an appointed person," Doyle said.


    Brad Walter and Daniel Lane

    http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/nrl-to-test-players-for-prescription-drugs-20140214-32qq0.html
 
Pffft, Independent doctors would rule a concussion if a player blinks too hard.
 
Being world leader in player welfare is a worthy goal.
They could start by regulating shonky player agents.
 
David Smith you are a [email protected] the game you dope......Oh wait lets send in the NRL doctor the week before we play the Roosters....5 with concussion, cant play for a week...Can you just imagine...
 
Why would any player chose NRL over RU?

Between the media, ASADA and NRL you would never be left alone.

Stop trying to win over people that don't count you twats. All that matters are players and fans. The rest of it is window dressing. Start listening to players and fans and doing what they want for a change.
 
I thought that medical information was protected under the Privacy Act :huh:

Pretty sure that any other Employer can not start testing for any prescription drugs - just illicit drugs and alcohol.

The Players Union need to look at this. What if a guy is on anti-depressants, he could be excluded from representative selection etc.

A simple release form by a Player at the start of the Season, should suffice in indemnifying his Club/NRL should he chose to participate contrary to medical advice from his Club Doctor :idea:
 
Can't be illegal if a doctor gave them a prescription.

Will the NRL be testing all its staff and all people that make a gig out of NRL too? How about the NRL fans? Time to test them too?
 
Shane Hayne should have been tested for LSD, he made that GF last year some trippy experience.

Oh yeah. and test the journos.

And yes, Brissie Kid, definitely the fans :D
 
Considering what has gone on recently in the nfl pro sport has no choice but to deal with concussion - and I am not sure that could be a bad thing (especially if it taken away from the clubs who can not be relied on to be independent )
 
Related article:

Shaun Johnson and Jason Nightingale say drugs probe should have been “kept in-house”

Kiwi stars Shaun Johnson and Jason Nightingale have hit-out at the NZRL’s prescription drug probe that’s cast suspicion over their failed World Cup campaign, claiming the issue had been “blown out of proportion” and should have been “kept in-house”.

As the NRL announced historic plans to place prescription drugs on its illicit substance register, Johnson and Nightingale voiced their collective displeasure at the slur inflicted on Kiwi players who are being investigated for mixing sleeping tablets with caffeine drinks such as Red Bull.

Click here to read the full article.
 

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