Richie Fa’aoso admits drug use through NRL career, something must be done, writes Paul Crawley

RICHIE Fa’aoso doesn’t blame anyone but himself for the way his life spiralled out of control because of drug and alcohol abuse. But surely someone at the NRL needs to explain how he was never caught.

Richie Fa'aoso has come back from a broken neck after a year to play with the Parramatta Eels as he trains in the Husky Stadium gym in Seattle. Picture: Adam Taylor

RICHIE Fa’aoso doesn’t blame anyone but himself for the way his life spiralled out of control because of drug and alcohol abuse.

But surely someone at the NRL needs to explain how a player who has admitted to taking everything from pills to cocaine and ice regularly throughout a decade-long career was able to constantly “run the gauntlet” and not get caught in a drug test.

It was more than a decade ago Andrew Johns said that he also beat drug tests throughout his entire career.

READ RICHIE’S STORY: Fa’aoso talks exclusively about his decade-long problem

A few months back Tim Simona revealed how drugs ruined his life after he first started taking them on a Mad Monday cruise.

Jesse Bromwich and Kevin Proctor were caught sniffing cocaine after the Test in Canberra.

Shaun Kenny-Dowall was found in possession the same weekend.

You hear so many more stories that don’t find their way into the papers.

Fa'aoso played for six clubs and experienced a cross-section of NRL culture. Pic: Gregg Porteous

As Fa’aoso said: “There is a massive drug problem in the NRL and if you think (there isn’t) you are kidding yourself.

“And it is only going to get worse if you don’t sort it out.

“You don’t want kids f***ing necking themselves.”

Fa’aoso played at six NRL clubs during his career so he should have a fair understanding of what goes on.

The other issue in this is the ongoing welfare available to injured players.

Fa’aoso said it was after he broke his neck in 2014 that “I found out I am just like cattle, I am just a number”.

Fa'aoso is now in rehab at The Glen — a drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre on the Central Coast. Pic: Troy Snook

He admitted he considered taking his own life after that on several occasions.

During his career Fa’aoso also suffered a series of sickening concussions.

Incredibly, he says he has still not had any medical testing to see if he has suffered any permanent brain damage.

If that is the case then the game should be embarrassed given what we now know about concussion-related injuries.

He admitted to me that he sought help after he was involved in another domestic violence issue recently that led to him being jailed.

Fa'aoso in a neck brace during the Manly Sea Eagles media day before the 2013 NRL Grand Final. Pic Brett Costello

But he felt like no one really wanted to listen, it was like they just wanted to tick a box.

The NRL gave The Saturday Telegraph a statement yesterday that predictably highlighted that it “conducted around 2500 illicit drug tests throughout the year and had welfare officers in every club to assist players”.

“We would urge any player who develops a problem to seek help … the welfare officers in the clubs can and do help.”

You can only wonder how many more players out there are not getting the help they need.

Thankfully, Fa’aoso has now found support through the wonderful people at The Glen, which is an indigenous based program on the Central Coast that is open to all men regardless of their background.

WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW BELOW

Despite his Tongan heritage, Fa’aoso has immersed himself in the program where people from all walks of life are assisted and supported in a wide range of areas to try to get them to a point where they can live healthy and meaningful lives.

Fa’aoso said he agreed to tell his story this week because he wants young players to know about the dangers of drugs and alcohol.

This issue can’t be swept under the carpet any longer.