The GAA’s efforts to instigate alcohol and substance abuse awareness programmes is "tokenism" in light of its receipt of alcohol sponsorship, former Tipperary hurler John Leahy has claimed.
Now a qualified addiction counsellor, who works with the HSE and voluntary bodies, Mr Leahy said the GAA’s stance on helping its members overcome any problems with drink or drug abuse were hampered by a lack of resources on the ground.
He also said he was aware of "a good few players, local, county level, that have used illegal drugs" and that alcohol is also an issue for others within Gaelic games.
The Gaelic Players Association (GPA) said its own counselling programme for current and former inter-county players had been "overrun" since it was established 15 months ago, with alcohol one of the issues prompting the higher-than-expected take-up.
Source: Noel Baker, Irish Examiner, 06/05/2011
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