Andrew Johnsen: Cocaine catastrophe lacks severe punishment

Kiwis captain Jesse Bromwich, left, and Kevin Proctor have found themselves in the middle of a major cocaine issue in rugby league. Photo/Photosport.nz

"Cocaine is a hell of a drug."

You'd be inclined to think the Rick James quote was plastered on whiteboards in rugby league changing rooms given the scandals of the last week.

And the "Super Freak" singer would know - he was renowned for his drug issues

First it was Shaun Kenny-Dowall allegedly caught in possession of the drug at a nightclub in Sydney. Then Cronulla Sharks chairman Damian Keogh was charged with drug possession. It seemed that would be the end of it.

And then Kiwis captain Jesse Bromwich and Kevin Proctor are accused of buying the drug in Canberra following a dismal Anzac test effort.

The "white-line" weekend ended Sunday morning when Cronulla Sharks Holden Cup player Jesse Savage was charged with possessing 1.4g of white powder, believed to be cocaine, after his arrest in the early hours of Sunday morning outside Fusion nightclub in Cronulla.

Why cocaine, you may ask. Perhaps it is because the drug leaves your system within 48 hours, decreasing the chance of being busted by testers.

It also replicates the adrenaline rush players experience from big games - a phenomenon that's more associated with rock stars such as Keith Richards and Steven Tyler.

Whatever the reason, it's a scandal rocking the NRL, the NZRL and league in general to its core. Not quite the "white-line fever" they had in mind from the season's final representative weekend.

As per usual, punishment has almost begrudgingly been given to those involved.

Bromwich and Proctor have been ruled out of selection for the Rugby League World Cup. Bromwich was also suspended by Melbourne for three weeks and dropped from the leadership group, while Proctor is no longer the Gold Coast vice-captain.

At least Kenny-Dowall was dealt to properly - stood down indefinitely until the pending court case.

These scandals keep bringing the game into disrepute and instead of being lambasted and having the book thrown at them, the NRL likes to defer back to saying it is a societal issue.

While not incorrect, they aren't dealing with players breaking their contract. Rather they're slapping their wrists.

After a first offence, players found to be using illicit drugs have immediate access to professional support and treatment to overcome the potential effects on their health.

The second offence leads to a 12-week suspension.

Basically, there isn't a real punishment for a first offence. If the NRL is serious in its endeavours to clean up the game, harsher mandates must be made.

Bromwich and Proctor, by all accounts, are top men who have led their respective teams well over the years. But this issue supersedes that.

They should have been given at least a season-long suspension if the NRL was committed to cleaning up the game.

But, much like the Kiwis against Australia at the weekend, the NRL has left us severely wanting.