Illicit Drugs /

Most illicit drugs, or “party” drugs as they are sometimes known as, such as ecstasy, cocaine, ice, and speed are stimulants so they are also seen as performance enhancing drugs when taken on match day – meaning that if you test positive to one of those drugs from a sample taken on the day of a match, you will be banned from training and playing for any period up to 4 years.

It will not matter that you took the drug the night before or two nights before, if it is in your system on match day you will be banned.

To discourage the use of these drugs at all times by players, the NRL introduced the Illicit Drugs Policy.

The NRL use Laverty Pathology to collect the tests, and they frequently test both NRL and NYC players at any time during the season.

You could also be selected randomly or by being targeted. You may be targeted for a variety of reasons, including the following:

• You have not been tested in a while.
• The NRL has information you may be using drugs.
• Breaching the Clubs’ or NRL’s Code of Conduct Policy for an alcohol related matter.

Similar to the anti-doping Policy, you must provide a sample when requested. Failure to provide a sample will be viewed the same as if you took an illicit drug and you will be sanctioned anyway.

Any player who sells, or passes on illicit drugs to another player, or traffics illicit drugs in the community will be dealt with by the police and could face the immediate de-registration of his playing contract.

If you are concerned that a teammate is taking illicit drugs, or pressuring you to take illicit drugs, the best person to speak confidentially to is your Club Welfare Officer.

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