https://www.nrl.com/operations/integrity/anti-doping/
Ezra Maam has commenced a drug rehabilitation program of his own accord, so obviously this is a habit and not a once off error of judgement. Above is the NRL anti doping policy which states that any player can get tested at any time. Does anyone know how regularly players actually get tested because it seems it is rife in the sport right now. Also what are the ramifications of a positive result that doesn't involve the media or authorities?
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Doubt it was of his own accord. Maybe a willing participant after being quickly advised it is Step 1 to managing the public situation he now finds himself in.
I think to the contrary, from a PR perspective how would it make sense to go down this path? Besides media articles state it was of his own initiative. Going into rehab just creates questions of how long has this been going on? Who else knew? Who else participated? Has he been under the influence whilst at work or driving to/from work? From a PR perspective it would be better from the club to distance themselves from this completely and for him to say that he made a mistake.
Really Adam? Come on mate, do some more thinking. You are better than that.
Firstly, your last sentence? Who said anything about the club? And regardless, how can the club possibly distance themselves from this in the short term?
Now to your first sentence - How would it make sense from a PR perspective???? Well, maybe it is just a glimmer of positivity in an attempt to combat the real shit show of negative PR that will continue to surround this for the player, the club and their culture, old coach, new coach etc.
In regards to media articles stating anything about voluntarily seeking rehab - most that I have seen are statements from his management, not the Broncos. Why do you think it is in his managements best interests to push this messaging??
How is going into rehab a glimmer of positivity? It's an admission that he has serious problems and needs serious help. As I've said previously, it would make more sense for him (or his management) to say that it was a once off fuck up that is completely out of character and that he is sorry for what he has done. All the other questions I posed still remain unanswered and given what's going on at the moment with any number of players on a regular basis this is by the sounds just the tip of the iceberg.
Serious ...not necessarily.
Yes, he has problems and needs help. Rehab now may stop it becoming serious. He may have just started taking drugs and discovered he likes it too much so a quick round of rehab is in order to nip it in the bud.
Publicly admitting the problem is one of the first steps to overcoming the issue.
Correct Badger - "... Publicly admitting the problem is one of the first steps to overcoming the issue ..." The exact point I was surprised that Adam misunderstood.
That makes absolutely no sense to me whatsoever. I don't have the statistics on hand but the number of people actually in drug rehabilitation would be a miniscule percentage of the people broadly in the community who use drugs. Thus it is only the serious cases that require treatment. I'd also imagine it would be frightfully expensive, it interferes with your normal day to day activities and there's a stigma attached to going through that process.
If he didn't have the motor vehicle accident are you telling me he would still be going into rehab to nip it in the bud? No of course not, he's doing it because he has huge problems and he got caught.
The website I just looked at from QLD Health states that the first step in overcoming issues with drugs or alcohol is "reaching out for help and support", not making any sort of public announcement. In fact, as with most things in life there's strict guidelines around privacy.
Adam, you are arguing with yourself. Not talking about everyone else, as I'm sure The Badger wasn't either in the case of Ezra Mam. Talking about there being a public statement about Ezra Mam as an individual. The public statement about him accessing rehab (due to the widespread publicity of his situation) is exactly about him making it known that he is "... reaching out for help and support ..." Of course other people entering rehab who have no public status or profile don't make a 'public' announcement in the national media through their management.
You ask "... If he didn't have the motor vehicle accident are you telling me he would still be going into rehab to nip it in the bud? No of course not, he's doing it because he has huge problems and he got caught ..."
Maybe he would, maybe he wouldn't?? We don't know that. However, now it sounds like you are actually agreeing with my first comment - The one you then keep disagreeing with. This one here - "... Doubt it was of his own accord. Maybe a willing participant after being quickly advised it is Step 1 to managing the public situation he now finds himself in ..."
I don't know, I give up trying to understand what you agree or disagree with?? 🤷♂️🤷♂️
The premise of the blog has nothing to do with Ezra Mam (sorry I spelt his name incorrectly). Im not arguing with anyone including myself, if we don't agree that's fine. What his reasoning is and what happens in the future is speculation on both our parts.
He's just an illustration of an nrl player with probably a significant and lengthy issue with substance abuse (before you dive in here I'm making that assumption because he's taking himself off to rehab) that has not been identified by his employer despite there being a system in place (drug testing protocols). Why has it taken a motor vehicle accident before he tests positive for drugs? Does the nrl need to reevaluate its protocols when it seems players know how to work the system or get busted by the cops or an image makes its way to a journo?
I guess you just misunderstand my point, Adam.
There are plenty of positive stories about people from all walks of life who have turned their lives around for the better after "... going into rehab..."
Once again in your reply you mentioned "... the club..." distancing themselves from this. I did notice you have since changed your comment from "... the club..." to "... him (or his management) ...", indicating you may be starting to get it. I never mentioned the club. From the start I was talking about Ezra Mam and his management.
How could going into rehab be considered a positive step in the right direction in this whole scenario? You know, how if he ends up being charged, having to front court (and possibly having rehab forced upon him anyway), NRL Integrity Commitee, potential current and future contract scenarios. It's getting a head start on trying to establish or influence the most favourable outcome possible (which he is absolutely entitled to do).
Your other suggestions about saying this type of behaviour is a once off and completely out of character can't cut it at present. Are you forgetting his very recent involvement with NRL Integrity Committee after allegedly behaving poorly in Bali?
I can happily agree with your other points about questioning the involvement of others, number of players being caught out being just the tip of the iceberg and trying to understand the NRL / Players Association anti-doping policies.
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