SA Institute for Drug-Free Sport views the admission of guilt of Bulls and Springbok rugby player, Pedrie Wannenburg, to the use and abuse of cocaine

14:08 Pedrie Wannenburg , SA Institute for Drug-Free Sport views the admission of guilt of Bulls and Springbok rugby player , to the use and abuse of cocaine 0 Comments

"The SA Institute for Drug-Free Sport views the admission of guilt of Bulls and Springbok rugby player, Pedrie Wannenburg, to the use and abuse of cocaine, ecstasy and alcohol as a serious substance abuse and addiction issue rather than a performance enhancing issue. "We trust the strategy employed by the Bulls management as one of compassion where they sought to address Pedrie Wannenburg’s drug problem with counselling and empathy. "Mr Wannenburg admitted to the abuse of alcohol, cocaine and ecstasy while partying. Although alcohol is not banned in rugby, cocaine and ecstasy are banned during competition under the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA) 2010 List of Prohibited Substances and Methods in Sport. "Generally stimulants such as cocaine and ecstasy stay in the body for a few hours before it is completely metabolised and excreted. "Hence, although Pedrie Wannenburg was tested after a rugby match by the Institute for Drug-Free Sport in February and May of 2009, he tested negative for these substances on both occasions. "The selection of Mr Wannenburg for drug testing after these matches was based on a random “blind” selection by the respective team managers. "Many lessons have been learnt during this saga and Drug-Free Sport would like to further encourage sports bodies to work with us in not only combating doping in sport but also in addressing the growing trend of substance abuse and addiction among sports participants.

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Our top athletes are not immune to the negative influences of recreational drug use.

"We view with alarm the increasing prevalence of drug abuse with drugs such as cocaine, ecstasy and methamphetamine (tik) among young people and athletes.

"The South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport is the custodian of ensuring a drug-free sport environment in the country. Our anti-doping education programs focus on the dangers of drugs and developing decision-making skills among young people and athletes to make the correct choices."