HOCKEY'S DRUG/BOOZE POLICIES UNWRITTEN

While the use of drugs and alcohol is considered unacceptable in minor
hockey, there are no province-or district-wide written rules
explicitly prohibiting the practices, or the consequences of doing
so.

Players, parents and team officials are expected to use "common sense"
when participating in Canada's national winter sport, and the
assumption is it's understood under-age drinking or illegal drug use
won't be tolerated.

"It's not a policy that is written anywhere," said Jimmie Musselwhite,
president of the North Delta Minor Hockey Association (NDMHA). "But we
do take common sense positions. It's about personal accountability --
do not embarrass yourself, your team or your association with conduct
that is inappropriate."

The issue of penalties for drug and alcohol use arose this week in
Surrey, when two players from a visiting Midget A team from Kelowna
were found in their hotel room with a small quantity of marijuana last
Saturday.

While not caught smoking the pot, the players admitted to possessing
the illegal substance.

Later that evening, one of the players committed suicide, reportedly
because he feared being kicked off the team.

Dealing with alcohol or drug use by the 17,500 players in the Pacific
Coast Amateur Hockey Association is left up to the 41 individual minor
hockey associations. The constitutions, bylaws and regulations of the
Canadian Hockey Association, B.C. Amateur Hockey Association and PCAHA
make no reference to use of drugs or alcohol, but administrators with
local associations say the unwritten rule is clearly understood.

"Everyone is aware of the rules, most have been in minor sports for
years," said Musselwhite. "And they agree to them. Until it's applied
to them. Then, the penalties are too strict."

There is no written policy on drug or alcohol use by minor hockey
players in North Delta, but the "common sense" approach seems to be
understood. NDMHA is a big booster of Team First, a program created by
the B.C. Amateur Hockey Association to outline the behaviour expected
from players, coaches, team officials and parents while participating
in Canada's national winter sport. And a code of conduct signed by
participants prior to the season seems to be getting the message through.

"In the two years I've been president, I'm not aware of one incident
where the coach has had problems with drug or alcohol use," said
Musselwhite, who added he also did not see such incidents while
serving five years as president of the North Delta Minor Softball
Association, where similar rules regarding player behaviour are in
place.

The Cloverdale Minor Hockey Association does have pre-determined
penalties, but has rarely applied them. Players are suspended 14 days
for the first infraction of drug or alcohol use, and for the remainder
of the season for a second infraction.

However, those consequences are not written into the association's
policy book.

"We had one suspension for 14 days, without a recurrence," said Curtis
Cartier, vice-president and coaching co-ordinator with the Cloverdale
Association. "I'm not saying some kids don't drink or smoke. But
they're not doing it at the rink."

The Surrey Minor Hockey Association does make specific reference to
drug and alcohol use on its website and in its regulations. On many
teams within the PCAHA, players and parents are required to sign a
code of conduct, which lists the expectations of the players ranging
from pre-game arrival times and dress codes to examples of
inappropriate behaviour and the accompanying consequences.

Although local forms don't make specific reference to drug and alcohol
use, the message is usually crystal clear, says a Surrey hockey parent.

"There is no way a player can't know that there are consequences for
use of drugs or alcohol," said Bruce Baker, whose son played house and
rep hockey for 12 years in Surrey and Cloverdale.

"There's a team meeting before the season, and the players are told
they're representing their association and their community. "It's
understood you don't go out and drink or do drugs."