DRUGS ISSUE SPARKED UP BY DICKEL

Why do drug cheating athletes think they can get away with it? Will
sport ever be clean? Cannabis is not performance enhancing, so what's
the big deal? What image do drug cheats send to the influential minds
of young athletes striving to be the best?

The questions just keep coming. As soon as one is answered, more
arise.

Basketballer Mark Dickel tested positive for cannabis after the Tall
Blacks' match against Australia in Napier last month. He admitted the
offence and awaits punishment.

That admission should be praised, the drug use should
not.

The Ministry of Health says marijuana is the third most common
recreational drug used in New Zealand, but it is not good for you or
sport's image and that makes it a banned substance in the World
Anti-Doping Agency's eyes.

"It meets the criteria that WADA established," Drug Free Sport New
Zealand executive director Graeme Steel said.

"There are three categories: it must be performance enhancing, it must
have harmful health consequences or it must be contrary to the spirit
of sport.

"It seems that under the third category, along with the second one,
WADA has decided to incorporate it on to the list. In other words, it
is contrary to the spirit of sport and the health of the athlete."

The black mark it puts on basketball's image has not been
overlooked.

"From our point of view, it is extremely disappointing," Tall Blacks
coach Tab Baldwin said yesterday, when Dickel was suspended for this
weekend's test series against Qatar, which tips off tonight in Dunedin.

"Mark knows he has let a lot of people down and must now face the
consequences."

It has been a big couple of months in the hazy world of drugs in
sport.

Wallabies wing Wendell Sailor was benched for two years after his
positive test to cocaine.

The world's (equal) fastest man Justin Gatlin faces a life ban after a
positive result to testosterone. He had a suspension reduced a few
years back after convincing officials a positive drugs test was due to
medication he was taking.

Tour de France winner Floyd Landis is trying to convince the world the
high level of synthetic testosterone found in his body was natural.

"With these recent cases, we may only be seeing the tip of the
iceberg," WADA head Dick Pound said recently.

It suggests getting drug users out of sport is a huge
task.

There is a big difference between using testosterone and cannabis but
there is also a key similarity - both are on the WADA list of banned
substances.

WADA's international standard 2006 anti-doping code cannot be
clearer.

"Cannabinoids (eg Hashish, marijuana) are prohibited".

For testosterone there is a lot of fine print to explain what is an
acceptable level and what is not but smoke just one joint and you face
a positive result.

Drug Free Sport New Zealand outlines the risks for athletes who use
substances such as cannabis.

"Marijuana will be tested for in competition in all sports," DFSNZ
states on its website.

"All users of marijuana must be aware that traces may be detected many
weeks after taking it, particularly for those who have been heavy or
long time users.

"It is listed as a 'specified substance' which means that it is
possible to get a lighter penalty for the first offence."

That last sentence may be some consolation for Dickel. A positive test
to cannabis will not be career-ending. Between July 2004 and May 2005
nine New Zealand athletes tested positive to cannabis. The heaviest
penalty was a six-month ban, given to a bodybuilder.

All other penalties have been either a warning, reprimand, fine or a
combination of those.

"The matter is initially referred to Basketball New Zealand," Steel
said.

"Their rules, as I understand them, would require them to refer it to
the Sports Disputes Tribunal, which is an independent body which hears
these kinds of cases.

"In the case of cannabis, if the athlete can show or satisfy the
tribunal that it wasn't used to enhance performance then, because it's
what's called a specified substance, the range of sanctions alters and
the range applicable in that case is a warning at the bottom end to a
one-year ban at the top end."

With Dickel already admitting his guilt the likelihood of a small
penalty and the matter being finalised before the Tall Blacks fly to
Japan for the world championships is high.