Richmond's Ben Cousins' 33 drug test and he's clean
Mark Robinson | March 04, 2009
EXCLUSIVE: BEN Cousins has been drug tested an estimated 33 times since joining Richmond - and all have been negative.
The 2005 Brownlow medallist has been tested three times a week since December 16.
The Herald Sun can also reveal the self-confessed drug addict, who has never tested positive, supplied a hair sample in January. It also tested negative to illicit drugs.
It was taken at Punt Rd under the supervision of AFL medical commissioners Dr Peter Harcourt and Dr Harry Unglik and AFL integrity services manager Brett Clothier.
It is believed the sample was sent to London for testing.
The first attempt at obtaining a hair sample from Cousins in November, before he had been cleared to play by the AFL, ended in a debacle when Cousins shaved/waxed his body, meaning he did not have the required 3cm of hair.
The AFL, in allowing Cousins to return to the competition, will subject him to a rigorous drug-testing regimen in the next 12 months.
It includes hair testing four times a year, the first of which was in January.
A letter to Cousins specified the time and place of that appointment and a requirement to have hair available.
The estimated 33 urine tests for illicit drugs, conducted by Dorevitch Pathology, have mostly been at training sessions.
It is highly unlikely that Cousins has been tested away from the club.
Testers from the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) targeted Cousins in the first training session after the Christmas break.
ASADA tests for performance-enhancing drugs.
The AFL won't comment on the Cousins situation other than to say: "The conditions are ongoing and he accepted those conditions."
Although Cousins is said to be enjoying the occasional alcoholic drink, the drug-testing results are emphatic evidence Cousins is winning his battle with drugs.
Regular discussion with Richmond officials, also part of the AFL conditions, indicates Cousins is in a happy space, despite the media spotlight.
His much-hyped documentary about his battle is nearing its end, and that will not disappoint Cousins.
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/afl/story/0,26576,25135540-19742,00.html
