100% agree.

IF Chase is diagnosed with a stress / depression related condition, then that's an awful place for him to be in. But, as you pointed out, many are far too quick to play this card without knowing the full facts.

There are thousands out there suffering from depression / anxiety and do not resort to drugs or acting in a poor manner on multiple of occasions. If this had been the first incident I think there would be some credence in it. But just how many clubs does he need to be released from / illegal acts does he need to do?

Chase is undoubtedly a fantastic Rugby talent, but his character is flawed. If it be a mental illness, then he does need help. If its because he things he is holier then thou, I;d prefer his not to be associated with our game.

But, thats the whole point, no body knows if it is genuine medical issues or simply the actions of someone who thinks they are untouchable. Until the facts come out, GO's post was not that unreasonable

With comments like these, I am assuming you will get your own thread sympathising about your mental health issue. Because these comments are either from someone who has some dark issues, or who hangs around with the wrong crowd or is basically an idiot.

That 'wrong crowd' is a huge crowd. I don't take recreational drugs, but I have a long time ago, and so have the majority of people I know, in fact I've never met anyone under the age of 35 who hasn't. To be frank, recreational drug use is rife particularly among young people, and students.
As for anti-doping as a whole, I've long been of the opinion that it's a small minority of 'cheats', but it is common place and is actually encouraged in elite level sport. I think that we just get the odd high profile example hung out to dry to try and project the illusion that the anti-doping organisations are 'winning', when the truth is they're not even trying.

The statement "it is rife in society particularly in men aged 18-40" implies that recreational drug use happens on a frequent basis in that demographic. A student having a spliff I would not count as "rife".

It was a sweeping statement which was opinion based rather then fact based. I am aware of a few who do regularly take recreational drugs, but these are by far and away a minority.

Disagree strongly on this .It's happening in the local pubs but even more in town on weekends etc.Nothing to do with dark issues or hangs around with wrong crowd it's sadly just the way it is.

Disagree strongly on this .It's happening in the local pubs but even more in town on weekends etc.Nothing to do with dark issues or hangs around with wrong crowd it's sadly just the way it is.

Not saying it doesnt happen, but to suggest its rife, implying its the majority of the 18-40 male population is, IMO wide of the mark.

It is rife and always has been when I first started going out drinking in 88 as a 16 year old you could guarantee fighting in most pubs then in the next couple of years with the rave scene all the fighting stopped because virtually everyone was taking ecstasy then as that scene died off coke took over and has been here ever since ,out of a group of say ten of my core friends who I've known since school and we still go out albeit not as much I can say there is only one of us who has never taken drugs to me it's something we did and grew out of

What a sensible post



This cocaine/drugs issue is way beyond sport and is alive and kicking on our streets and on an everyday basis

IMO and in my experience only, it is simply a yes or no decision as to whether you want coke on a night out or not as it is freely available wherever you are

I'm at the back end of that age demographic and I'd say recreational drug use being rife is a fair enough description and has been for at least the last 20 years in my own experience.

Take society out of it - recreational drugs are absolutely rife in the rugby league playing community.
I play in the NCL - in my current team, with a squad of about 25 players, there are only 3 that I know do not touch drugs (I'm one of them), there's then about 5 or 6 that are older/married who aren't at it every weekend, but the rest are at it every Saturday in the clubhouse without fail. Naturally I've got mates at quite a few other amateur teams, and it's the same everywhere - it's not even hidden anymore, it's openly handed around and talked about - it's now unfortunately part of the scene.
And whilst the '6 out of 10' quote looks silly with how it's been claimed, I'd say that could even be understated from what I've seen over the years. Rugby League is a small community, the professional lads tend to still stay close to their amateur clubs/mates, the ones from West Yorkshire certainly still do - and it's rife, the attitude from the professional players is not too dissimilar to that of he amateurs - it's common knowledge and openly discussed - they all share the same dealers (most of whom are within the game). The fact that clubs have nutritionists who actively work with players to flush their systems says it all!
It should also be added that Sterioids and other performance enhancers are also rife. In our pack, including 3 subs, all but 2 of us are on steroids (some of the backs are at it too, but it's more the big lads). And then if you came in the changing rooms before kick off, you'll see all but 2 or 3 players taking effers or T5's.... again, that's rife at every amateur team... and I'm sure there will be an equivelamt happening in every super league changing room, it's just the substance will be different (weaker) and not on WADA...

I'm sure there'll be other lads on here who play amateur and/or socialise with professional players - be interesting to see what their thoughts are...