Pubdate: Sun, 02 Sep 2007
Source: Sunday Star-Times (New Zealand)
Copyright: 2007 Sunday Star-Times
Contact:  http://www.sundaystartimes.co.nz
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1064
Author: Monty Beetham
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mdma.htm (Ecstasy)

DRUGS THE EXCEPTION, NOT THE RULE

In my 10 years working full-time in the rugby league industry, I have 
never been offered drugs or been with people that have been openly 
taking recreational drugs.

I want to make that completely clear because I don't want people to 
assume that everyone in the sport is taking drugs; that it is a 
common occurrence or in any way part of our culture.

As in everyday life, Andrew Johns' choice to take recreational drugs 
throughout his career is an individual decision.

If someone wants to harm themselves and it is not 
performance-enhancing or cheating then quite frankly, I couldn't care 
less. It only reflects on you as a person and harms your life and reputation.

That would be the case with Johns, except that Andrew Johns equals 
success and I know that the kids idolise someone like Joey. So I 
worry that his revelations will have a huge impact on impressionable 
young league players.

Stars like Johns are, whether they like it or not, mentors to junior 
players and are expected to do the right thing. This incident will 
send entirely the wrong message to kids, and tell their parents that 
league will be a bad influence on their children.

I'd assure them that I am being genuinely honest when I say that 
while there has always been talk that a lot of players take 
recreational drugs, I never saw it happen in my playing career.

With the Kiwi boys at the Warriors you might have a big night out 
celebrating, and some of the Australians would say "really, what were 
you taking?" and we'd say "nothing".

I know for a fact the Kiwi boys don't do it. People take drugs such 
as ecstasy to lose their inhibitions and their shyness, and the 
Island boys have never had that in their culture - they can go out 
and have a good time and dance without taking anything. Even the ones 
who weren't big drinkers could manage to have a great time without 
taking anything.

In fact, the only time anyone I played league with was offered drugs 
was on a pre-season trip to Portugal when I played with English club 
Wakefield. And they didn't know we were league players - it was just 
a big group of lads out at a club.

I've been invited to the Warriors' awards dinner at SkyCity next 
week. It will be a change to go to my usual place of work and enjoy 
it without having someone punch me.

I'd be surprised if fullback Wade McKinnon didn't win player of the year.

He has been the standout all year, providing that extra something 
that has made the Warriors so dangerous. That might be a touch unfair 
on Steve Price, who has been an outstanding leader - but I am sure he 
will win the people's choice award.

It's hard to see who is working behind the scenes, but a clear 
favourite for the clubman award would be George Gatis for the way he 
plays, the way he conducts himself, and the manner in which he speaks 
about the club even though he's leaving.

How do you pick a rookie of the year when the Warriors haven't 
actually had any young players make their NRL debut this year (Corey 
Lawrie, at 27, hardly counts)?

But, at the age of 20, the impact made by Sam Rapira (who played 10 
times in 2006) has been remarkable.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman