Recreational Drug Testing could soon become a regular occurrence across sport in Wales. The groundbr...

1. Sports :: Recreational Drug Testing in Welsh Rugby
Recreational Drug Testing could soon become a regular occurrence across sport in Wales.
The groundbreaking announcement that the English Rugby Union will introduce out of competition
recreational drug testing for all professional players in the English rugby league has put pressure on
Welsh sporting authorities to follow suit and set a similar example.
The English Rugby Unions bold decision to introduce recreational drug testing on non competitive
match days follows the high profile case of shamed England international prop Matt Stevens, who is
serving a two-year ban for cocaine use. The new policy introduced this month will test urine samples
from players across the English Rugby League, from grass roots level to the national team, to
identify players who have participated in the recreational use of cocaine, cannabis, amphetamine
and ecstasy in an effort to clean up drug use in professional rugby.
Abi Carter, Director of Forensic Resources Ltd one of Wales' leading Drug Testing Specialists,
believes it's only a matter of time until Welsh sporting bodies reform their recreational drug testing
policies and suggests athletes from as young as 15 could soon be tested for recreational drugs on a
regular basis.
"It's evident that attitudes towards recreational drug testing are changing amongst sports governing
bodies and this latest announcement from the English Rugby Union will put pressure on Welsh
sporting bodies to set a similar example to help remove drug abuse from professional sport.
Ms Carter continued "I believe over the next year more vigorous drug testing will occur in all sports
to eliminate recreational drug abuse and I wouldn't be surprised if young adults whom are on trials
or in a youth development academies with large sports teams are screened during their sporting
education.

2. Statistics show that recreational drug use
frequently follows alcohol abuse and that the most
susceptible group are males aged between 16-24.
Between 2004 and 2009, the RFU's own anti-
doping programme that tested players on days of
competition caught seven positive tests for illicit
drugs including two players from the Guinness
Premiership.
"Many young people today are approached to
participate in the recreational use of drugs and
http://www.cobhc.com/ it's essential that we create
a no nonsense drug culture in Welsh Sport to deter
athletes from taking drugs and possibly ruining
any chances they may have of becoming
professional sports people
This year undefeated Welsh boxing icon Joe
Calzaghe admitted to the recreational use of
cocaine following his retirement from boxing and
Ms Carter reiterates the importance of educating
athletes on the side effects of drug participation
and abuse.
"It's important that all athletes are given the same advice about recreational drug use as they
receive about Steroid and Hormone abuse. Not only are recreational drugs banned by professional
sporting bodies, but participating in the illegal use of recreational drugs can have negative effects
on athlete's performance. We must encourage young athletes from an early age that recreational
drugs will not be tolerated in professional sport to help give them the best chance to succeed and
build respectable role models for the future."
Boxing appears to be the next sport to introduce reform in its drug testing laws following the
controversial collapse of the mega fight between Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao earlier this
year. Their much publicised disagreement over additional Olympic style blood and urine testing
during their preparation for competition has asked many questions where to find search results
about the way drugs are tested in sport and has raised awareness for the need of out of competition
drug testing.
Abi concluded "With the media spot light focused so much on the reputation of athletes and their
duty as role models to many young people, it appears recreational drug testing is the next big step in
professional sports legislation".