CANNABIS MAIN OFFENDER IN NZ ATHLETE DRUG TESTS

Steroid use in New Zealand is low, but some of our sports people like
a toke of dope, analysis of Drug Free New Zealand's (DFNZ) testing
regime shows.

The agency's annual report shows 15 athletes out of 1262 tested
throughout the year to June 30, 2006, had a banned substance in their
system, but two thirds of them were for cannabis.

DFNZ executive director Graeme Steel said was taking up a significant
portion of its resources despite the fact it did not appear to
enhance anyone's performance.

"Cannabis remains a singular challenge to both the testing and
education programmes.

"While we have continued to argue that the nature of cannabis use is
such that it should not be lumped in with performance enhancing substance use."

He said the agency was having to work with sporting associations and
player groups to educate them about the fact cannabis could stay in
people's systems for very long periods of time.

"Our efforts to respond to the challenge posed by the inclusion of
cannabis on the list continue to require a very high proportion of
our resources."

Those sports effected were softball with four positive tests, rugby
sevens (3), touch rugby (2) and rugby league (1).

In August Tall Blacks basketballer Mark Dickel became the most recent
and highest profile casualty of the drug testing regime.

Dickel was suspended for two matches by New Zealand team management
after testing positive for cannabis use.

He was warned and reprimanded by the New Zealand Sports Disputes
Tribunal before the Tall Blacks left for the world championships in
Japan, where he was subsequently banned for an additional three
matches by Fiba.

Four of the other five positive tests for banned substances were for
anabolic agents in bodybuilding.

The other was a positive test for the stimulant ephedrine in the
sport of power lifting.