Rugby Australia has today announced it has stood down Wallabies and Queensland Reds forward James Slipper for two months, as well as issuing him a $27,500 fine, after he returned a second positive test for cocaine.
Slipper revealed in a statement posted to Twitter that he had breached Rugby Australia’s illicit drugs policy, subsequently receiving a fine and a two-month suspension.
In a frank and honest post, Slipper revealed he has been “suffering wellness issues” for a year, but also acknowledged his “personal circumstances [did not] excuse [his] actions”.
“I take full responsibility for my actions and apologise unreservedly to my family, the QRU, Rugby Australia, my teammates, coaches and all rugby supporters,” the statement read.
Slipper’s two positive tests for cocaine occurred between February and May of this year. Under Rugby AU’s illicit drugs policy, a second violation results in a mandatory suspension of at least two months, and is referred to a drugs tribunal.
That tribunal conducted its hearing a week ago, imposing the minimum suspension on Slipper as well as the $27,500 fine.
In a hastily called press conference this morning, Rugby AU CEO Raelene Castle expressed her disappointment at the news, but also said her organisation is working with Slipper to help him seek treatment.
“We are extremely disappointed to be in this position today with one of our most senior international players having submitted two positive tests for cocaine,” Castle said.
“We are fully aware that James is dealing with very significant personal issues and we have been working with him since February on these matters. We are ensuring that James is receiving full help and support, including specialist medical treatment.
“James has expressed his sincere remorse for his actions and for placing himself, Rugby Australia and the Reds in this very difficult situation. It is an incredibly challenging time for him and his family and our immediate focus is on James’ health and wellbeing while he undertakes an enforced period away from the sport.”
GusTee
Roar Pro
No hassle with any one taking drugs - just don't come my way and don't play rugby - Slipper is an idiot - no excuses.
AndyS
Guest
Eww no kidding. If that was on the training schedule, I'd be seriously reconsidering my life choices. Agree that the clubs focus is all on performance. Just seems odd that that means they would dictate so much of a players schedule and life, then turn a blind eye when he went putting God only knows what into himself in the form of a heavily cut drug bought from some total random behind a pub. If they were going to condone that sort of thing, almost better if the team quietly organised a "reputable" dealer and control the quality, both for the players safety and their potential liabilities. Would seem the logical extension of tolerance. Who knows, maybe it is already a thing...
adam smith
Guest
Maybe I should have elaborated a bit better (sorry). We were dominant in the King Country competition, and as a provincial team, we certainly punched above our weight, but we still copped hidings from the “big Unions” ie: Auckland, Canterbury etc ?. And yeah, the “no pain” from the Kava was definitely a plus during & after games. Didn’t help much with the hangover though?.
Nobody
Guest
Didn't really mean to embed the video either, just to give the link. Oh well.
Nobody
Guest
The link was meant to be https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DfaubmS6VC4 anyway
Nobody
Guest
Argh, tried to remove the stupid rel='nofollow' rubbish that occurred when I pasted my text in, but messed it up and had to cancel, and now I can't do it again because every time you try to edit something for the second time on the roar you get a mangled page of text. I hate that!
Nobody
Guest
I am afraid the Straight to Hell incident is far worse. Whereas Slipper bought a One Way Ticket? ?
Nobody
Guest
Ralph, from what I can see, cocaine isn't as addictive as you make out (yes, this is from the much reviled wikipedia, but the Nature article it references does support what it says). (Disclaimer: I've never tried cocaine myself)
Nobody
Guest
Aspersions
piru
Roar Rookie
Andy I don't much care about the dietitians etc. The club's purview is performance. I seem to remember an Aussie cyclist who won gold at the Olympics claiming to have downed a bucket of KFC the day before - some can manage it, some can't - I'd have been sick in bed for three days.
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
It would be interesting if you were just a keen to use science when we are talking about religions mate ;) I hope you understand that there are thousands of scientific research project about the effect cocaine has on the body and on the brain. And most of them are pretty clear that about 90 percent of all people that tries cocaine do develop an addiction.
piru
Roar Rookie
So whilst there must be some individuals who take the drug and do not get addicted to suggest it is anything but highly addictive is simply wrong. My point is that you have taken 'player fails drug test' to mean 'player is addicted to drugs' this is a large leap. I'm willing to bet far more rugby players are addicted to alcohol than cocaine in Australia. No one I know has become addicted to coke, not the powdered one anyway
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
OOE, the rush from amphetamine stays for hours, the rush from cocaine goes down fast after about 30 minutes. And when the cocaine's effect goes down, it will affect your physical ability in a very bad way. Both drugs affect your brain (your decision-making) in a big way. So yes, you could run harder on amphetamine, but you completely lose the plot overall. First, you would be too confident, and when the coke starts lose effect you start to feel something that is called "chemical depression" and you start to doubt yourself in every regard. Bike riders used amphetamine a lot back in the day, but a sport like a rugby is a lot more complex than bike riding is. Cocaine is a complete no-go for any athlete. High speed never compensates the wrong direction.
Lorry
Guest
Has anyone taken this up with the relevant Union? Why should staff be subjected to random drug testing for no legitimate reason except company policy?
Ralph
Roar Guru
Oops, the second link: https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/12728/1/NIDA_Cocaine.pdf
Ralph
Roar Guru
Jacko, Here is a report at the University of Colorado where they discovered that Cocaine has the same addiction pathway in the brain as heroin, oxycodone, morphine and other opioid drugs to amplify their addictiveness (dated 2015). https://www.colorado.edu/today/2015/02/03/new-study-details-how-cocaine-really-works-brain-offers-possibility-drug-treat-addiction Here is a link to an information sheet from the US National Institute of Drug Abuse about Cocaine dated 2009, quoting: "Cocaine is a powerfully addictive drug. Thus, it is unlikely that an individual will be able to reliably predict or control the extent to which he or she will continue to want or use the drug." It quotes at least twelve pieces of research to back its various statements. So whilst there must be some individuals who take the drug and do not get addicted to suggest it is anything but highly addictive is simply wrong. Piru, Whilst there is certainly a 1-2%, they are not sufficient to refute the reality of the 98-99%.
Train without a station
Guest
Saying there’s likely a group of unnamed people from a group is not the same as saying one player with zero record of similar trouble is the source of a cocaine issue for a team.
rebel
Roar Guru
Me also, however you can't pick and choose which innocent parties you cast dispersions over. Pretty simple really
soapit
Guest
no things. im happy to be empathetic to those other people you speak of as well
Old One Eye
Guest
I’m in