Doctors admits treating Andrew Johns for drug and alcohol abuse

A team doctor admitted Friday that he treated rugby league great Andrew Johns for drug and alcohol abuse for many years, and Australia's National Rugby League examined how this went undetected for so long.

Photo: Doctors admits treating Andrew Johns for drug and alcohol abuse

After Johns' admission he used recreational drugs continually over the last 10 to 12 years, leading figures in rugby league asked who knew of his habit and how he beat league's drug testing regime for more than a decade.

National Rugby League chief executive David Gallop said he was "not aware of" Johns ever having failed a drug test - he was tested 17 times in that period - and did not believe his club, Newcastle, or any official would have covered up a positive test.

Steve Burraston, senior executive officer of Newcastle, said "heads would roll" if he found out any officials at the club knew of the player's drug use and failed to act.

But team doctor Neil Halpin late Friday disclosed his long-standing knowledge and treatment of Johns' problems.

"Andrew Johns admitted on television last night to long-standing drug and alcohol use," Halpin said in a statement.