<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Nidhogg @ Jan 21 2009, 01:19 PM)
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<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Will @ Jan 21 2009, 01:51 PM)
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Nidhogg, you've not read what I wrote at all. Or at least you have and ignored it completly.[/b]
That's a bit presumptuous, either I have not read it, or I have ignored it, which means that I either must agree with your conclusion, or have drawn a wrong conclusion.
Yes, I read your post, no, I did not ignore it, yes, I reached a different conclusion. It's called an opinion, based on very subjective facts.
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It's all very well saying we'll be all cuddly and sweet about it, and help the poor sportsman get over his demons and addiction. My point is though that I doubt he really does have an addiction. I imagine he uses the drug (whatever it may be) in a social basis, and as with most people who take this drug/s thinks that he knows better and that he's above the law. And even to get to a stage of being addicted to a drug you have to start out with it at a certain point and then take it on a regular basis over a period of time.[/b]
I doubt he's as worse of as life-time addict, but addictions can come in many forms, and some people are more easily effected than others. In his interview he mentions he used it for a while (it wasn't his first time).
It wouldn't surprise me if he had some form of addiction, it doesn't take that much to become hooked on substances like coke. It doesn't have to take that long, some people get hooked on cocaine the first time they use it, others can use it for months and then suddenly quit without any hassle.
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I'm sick of these people being treated like poor little lost souls whenever they are caught and then try and play the sympathy card. I hope he enjoys his two year suspension. That should show other people that it's an issue that won't be tolerated.[/b]
I don't think it should be tolerated that professional sports players use drugs on a regular basis. I never suggested to cut all the punishment, but it should take a more balanced part, the other half being him getting help, getting rid of the drugs, and being put on the stand as an example on how to deal with an addiction.
Studies show punishment works very effectively as a deterrent. When the mistake has already been made, it is only of use to enforce the deterrent. Dealing with the person should not be focussed on the deterrent, but on helping him get out of this situation effectively. Yes he should be punished, but he should also be helped out by the community. That, in my eyes, is what rugby stands for, to help people when they are at their worst as well, like the way my old team used to collectively not drink when our alcoholist buddy was playing with us, instead of tossing him out the door for destroying our stuff earlier.
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Well said, agree whole heartedly.
Everybody makes mistakes, I used to smoke quite a bit of weed, alot of my mates in uni took speed etc. every once in a while. Luckily, none of us got addicted (well, I was probably addicted to weed for a couple of years, but it's easier than tobbacco to overcome), but some people do, and to everyone who smokes/smoked, emagine an addiction 10x worse or more. We don't look down on smokers in the same way (but it's legal some of you might say, but it's still a stupid thing to do, it's killing you, and others around you), I someked for 7 years btw, quit 6months ago.
So yes, if he's got a problem he needs help. But at the same time, he needs punishment, 2years ban to start. He should then be treated the same as any other person would, if that's a prison sentance (he wasn't caught with possetion though), then so be it.
At the end of the day, these people are role models for kids etc. It needs to be made clear that this kinda behavious won't be tolerated. Same should be done for other celebrities, Amy Winehouse and that d*ck from Baby Shambles comes to mind.
