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Rugby: Drugs

Volume 494: debated on Thursday 25 June 2009

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will investigate allegations of illegal drug consumption by individuals associated with rugby football. (281777)

Investigations into allegations of illegal drug possession is a matter for the police, who must prioritise resources towards tackling crime, including drugs crime with a focus on those offences which cause the most harm.

Any prohibited substance found in a rugby union footballer's bodily specimen that is collected as part of the National Anti-Doping Organisation's testing programme will be fully investigated in line with the anti-doping rules of the sport. Any illegal drug consumption that is suspected and indeed detected as part of a sport's illicit drug programme (akin to employee drug testing) remains within the remit of the National Governing Body to action.