Recreational Drug Testing could soon become a regular occurrence across sport in Wales.

Recreational Drug Testing could soon become a regular occurrence across sport in Wales.

The groundbreaking announcement that the English Rugby Union will introduce out of competition recreational drug testing for all professional players in the English rugby league has put pressure on Welsh sporting authorities to follow suit and set a similar example.

The English Rugby Unions bold decision to introduce recreational drug testing on non competitive match days follows the high profile case of shamed England international prop Matt Stevens, who is serving a two-year ban for cocaine use. The new policy introduced this month will test urine samples from players across the English Rugby League, from grass roots level to the national team, to identify players who have participated in the recreational use of cocaine, cannabis, amphetamine and ecstasy in an effort to clean up drug use in professional rugby.

Abi Carter, Director of Forensic Resources Ltd one of Wales' leading Drug Testing Specialists, believes it's only a matter of time until Welsh sporting bodies reform their recreational drug testing policies and suggests athletes from as young as 15 could soon be tested for recreational drugs on a regular basis.

"It's evident that attitudes towards recreational drug testing are changing amongst sports governing bodies and this latest announcement from the English Rugby Union will put pressure on Welsh sporting bodies to set a similar example to help remove drug abuse from professional sport.

Ms Carter continued "I believe over the next year more vigorous drug testing will occur in all sports to eliminate recreational drug abuse and I wouldn't be surprised if young adults whom are on trials or in a youth development academies with large sports teams are screened during their sporting education.

Statistics show that recreational drug use frequently follows alcohol abuse and that the most susceptible group are males aged between 16-24. Between 2004 and 2009, the RFU's own anti-doping programme that tested players on days of competition caught seven positive tests for illicit drugs including two players from the Guinness Premiership.

"Many young people today are approached to participate in the recreational use of drugs and it's essential that we create a no nonsense drug culture in Welsh Sport to deter athletes from taking drugs and possibly ruining any chances they may have of becoming professional sports people

This year undefeated Welsh boxing icon Joe Calzaghe admitted to the recreational use of cocaine following his retirement from boxing and Ms Carter reiterates the importance of educating athletes on the side effects of drug participation and abuse.

"It's important that all athletes are given the same advice about recreational drug use as they receive about Steroid and Hormone abuse. Not only are recreational drugs banned by professional sporting bodies, but participating in the illegal use of recreational drugs can have negative effects on athlete's performance. We must encourage young athletes from an early age that recreational drugs will not be tolerated in professional sport to help give them the best chance to succeed and build respectable role models for the future."

Boxing appears to be the next sport to introduce reform in its drug testing laws following the controversial collapse of the mega fight between Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao earlier this year. Their much publicised disagreement over additional Olympic style blood and urine testing during their preparation for competition has asked many questions about the way drugs are tested in sport and has raised awareness for the need of out of competition drug testing.

Abi concluded "With the media spot light focused so much on the reputation of athletes and their duty as role models to many young people, it appears recreational drug testing is the next big step in professional sports legislation".