
Issue No 13		14 May 1999

Sport

Builders Offer Way Out For League’s Drug Woes

The head of the Building Trades Group's drug and alcohol program, says the National Rugby League could learn lessons from the way the building industry has dealt with substance abuse.

Trevor Sharp has offered union support to the NRL in the wake of a series of incidents where players have made the headlines for exploits under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol.

"There are definite similarities between rugby league players and construction workers," Sharp says.

"Some first graders were actually building workers prior to the game reaching its current professional status, and many players in the lower grades are employed in the construction industry."

"They are both predominantly male with a macho culture that heavily includes alcohol as bonding agent and as a form of reward. "

Sharp says it's interesting to note that both groups are used as role models in alcohol marketing.

He also believes similar solutions could work with the two groups.

"It may be fair to say that footballers, like building workers, would resent outside interference and it is arguable that professional drug and alcohol workers would achieve a great level of acceptance.

"This was most certainly the case in the construction industry. It is therefore, conceivable that an approach similar to that adopted by the construction industry could be used to address alcohol issues among ruby league players."

In particular, Sharp believes a peer based model of involving the target group in identifying both the problem and the solution has definite merit. In the BTG Program, the target group identified safety as the focus that would get workers involved in and supporting the program.

If this model were to be pursed by NRL, the target group itself would need to identify the focus for any program.

"There are many possibilities ranging from pride in themselves and the game, through to fear of discipline for unacceptable behaviour that could resonate with the players," Sharp says.

Sharp welcomed the upcoming NRL summit on Alcohol and said the Building Trades Group Drug and Alcohol Committee would welcome the opportunity to be involved in the summit.

"We believe sharing the knowledge and experience we have gained in the development and implementation of our program could be of real assistance to the NRL, the players and the game," Sharp says.

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  Issue 13 contents

Interview: Really Caring
Sam Moait will be sending a message from the 48,000 nurses who she represents when she takes her seat at the Drug Summit

Unions: Kicking the Habit
The architect of a trade union drug and alcohol program has revealed his own battle with drugs motivated him to help other workers kick the habit.

History: Remembering BHP: Memory and Industrial Heritage
The announcement of the intended closure of BHP’s Newcastle steelworks heightened the awareness that industrial heritage is more than derelict sites of production.

Review: Ten Songs to Revolution
We ask Labor Council's resident music critic to name the ten songs that define the nineties.

International: Union Lifts Lid on Rio Tinto Shame File
The global campaign against mining giant Rio Tinto has been stepped up with a new report alleging abuses of human rights, environmental and safety standards.

» Unions Warn Carr: Bosses Can’t Veto Second Wave

» Labor Council Backs Harm Minimisation

» Aquilina Urged to Talk as Students Offered Teaching Jobs

» Cutting Through the Budget Crap

» LHMU Demands Y2K Protection for Workers

» Cops Eye Airport Beat

» Spanish Workers Warned on Tax Agents

» Unions to March on Journey of Healing on May 26

» NSW Young Labor Turns 50!