http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,22335913-29277,00.html
Johns admits to long-term drug use
By Dean Ritchie with AAP
August 30, 2007 08:31pm
IN A shock confession Andrew Johns has revealed he was in the grip of drugs and alcohol throughout his whole playing career.
"I took the drugs to escape from the pressure and get away from being a football player," he told The Daily Telegraph tonight.
The league legend also admitted that he is battling depression.
In an extraordinary about-face from his earlier assertion that he had no intention of taking an ecstasy pill, which he said an unknown person placed in his jeans pocket at a London club on Sunday, Johns came clean.
"I was going to take the pill for sure," he said.
"I'm not looking for sympathy, I put my hand up. I've done the wrong thing."
The retired Newcastle, New South Wales and Kangaroos star, regarded by many as rugby league's greatest player, was issued with an official caution by British police for possession of the ecstasy tablet.
NRL chief executive David Gallop said it was a distressing confession from Johns.
"It is an insight into the pressure he has been under for a number of years," he said.
"He should be given credit for his frankness."
Gallop also said he was "not aware of Johns ever failing a drug test throughout his career".
Johns, 33, was not charged over the London incident and won't have a conviction against his name, but NSW Premier Morris Iemma said if he'd been caught with the drug in NSW he could have been prosecuted.
The Australian Rugby Union (ARU) had been considering using Johns to help the Wallabies in their build-up to next month's Rugby World Cup in France, but today promptly dropped the idea.
Johns was arrested by London transport police conducting routine searches at Kings Cross underground railway station following the annual Notting Hill Carnival, a statement released this morning from Johns' management The Fordham Company said.
"Johns said he recalled an unknown person pushing a tablet into his jeans at a crowded club on Sunday his last day in the United Kingdom following a six weeks overseas holiday."
In the statement Johns said: "I was having such a good time, seeing it was the last day before I flew home.
"I stupidly forgot about the tablet and instead of getting rid of it I left myself in a situation I soon deeply regretted."
Johns is regarded as a role model in the sport and he acknowledged his actions would disappoint many young fans.
"I have been a very foolish person and realise I have brought great disappointment to my family, friends and many people, including lots of youngsters who have looked up to me over the years," he said in the earlier statement.
"It has left a black mark on my reputation which I will work very hard at erasing."
Johns' manager John Fordham said news of the bust had been "devastating" for the former player.
"But he's working hard at getting control of all of that they're difficult times," he told Nine Network.
Mr Fordham admitted Johns was lucky to have escaped with just a caution.
In Britain a formal caution does not mean a criminal conviction.
However it is recorded on the police database and may be considered in court if a person is tried for another offence, the UK Home Office says.
Johns, who was forced out of the game in April by a recurring neck injury, has been holidaying in Europe and the UK.
He had been in London for a few weeks, helping to coach the Harlequins Rugby League Club at the invitation of former Newcastle Knights player Billy Peden.
Johns recently spent time tutoring the Wallabies' kickers and coach John Connolly suggested the former halfback may work with the team again in France, once his NRL commentary commitments were completed.
But ARU boss John O'Neill said today there had been no firm deal with Johns.
He added: "Given the current circumstances, the Wallabies will continue as is in France."
