Billy Slater says NRL needs to address drugs problem

BILLY Slater admits the NRL has an illicit drugs problem after a shocking weekend for the embattled code and says he doesn't know what the solution is.

BILLY Slater admits the NRL has an illicit drugs problem after a shocking weekend for the code.

Four players, including Melbourne Storm forward Jesse Bromwich and an administrator, have been engulfed in separate incidents involving a drug believed to be cocaine.

“If you asked me seven days ago, ‘Is there a drugs problem in our game?’, I would have said no’,” Storm fullback Slater said.

SCANDAL 1: Kenny-Dowall to take hair follicle test

SCANDAL 2: Keogh: ‘I don’t have a drug problem’

SCANDAL 3: Sorry Bromwich pays price for drug scandal

SCANDAL 4: Proctor stands down over drug claim

SCANDAL 5: Young Shark’s cocaine drama

Billy Slater says the NRL needs to address the drugs problem. File photo

“Might be a little bit naive to the fact that sort of stuff goes on. I’m not out there and I don’t see it — it’s not a reflection of our club, that’s for sure — but sitting here today you’d probably say there is a problem and it probably needs to be addressed.

“What the solution is I don’t know and to be honest it’s not my job to sit here and come up with an answer.”

Slater said he had not spoken to Bromwich or made contact with him since Friday night’s bombshell bender in Canberra.

Bromwich, 27, was snapped on CCTV video with former Storm teammate Kevin Proctor — now at Gold Coast — allegedly buying cocaine outside a nightclub.

New Zealand star Bromwich admits only to drinking “far too much alcohol” after the Anzac Test loss to Australia, saying his recollection of Friday night was “quite hazy”.

Storm’s New Zealand star Jesse Bromwich has been sacked for the Rugby League World Cup.

Storm slapped Bromwich with a two-match NRL ban on Sunday and the Kiwis have sacked him and Proctor for this year’s World Cup.

Bromwich had already surrendered the Kiwis’ captaincy and Storm leadership role, as well as committed to donating his $20,000 international match payment to charity.

“I was (shocked) a little bit like everyone else,’’ Slater said.

“I’ve known Jesse for 10 years ... certainly was extremely shocked with the news and he’s paying the price for it now.

“I’m disappointed but I think the person most disappointed would be Jesse. I know he is doing it really tough at the moment and he’s really disappointed in his own actions and the choices that he’s made.”

LEAGUE CENTRAL PODCAST: Paul Crawley, Phil Rothfield, Fatima Kdouh and Dean Ritchie discuss the spate of drug busts and the injuries from Australia’s win over the Kiwis.

Bromwich will return to the club later in the week. He is expected to address teammates and coaching staff.

He will receive a strike under the NRL’s illicit drugs code and be target tested in future.

A second infraction would result in an automatic 12-game ban.

Slater said the Bromwich saga should not disrupt Storm’s preparations for Saturday’s match against Gold Coast at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium.

“It won’t be a distraction on the field ... apart from not having Jesse out on the field with us,’’ he said. “We’re professional enough to move on.”

Originally published as Billy Slater says NRL needs to address drugs problem