Basketball New Zealand

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Hawks import Kareem Johnson (Photosport)

The Sports Tribunal of New Zealand has banned Hawks national basketball league player Kareem Johnson for five weeks after testing positive for cannabis, but will suspend the punishment if he participates in a drug education programme.

He will not be allowed to play from February 15 to March 21, 2008 – effectively, the pre-season and opening rounds of the NBL – unless he participates in a suitable education programme designed to educate other athletes about doping in sports.

He tested positive for cannabis after helping the Hawks to an NBL semifinal win over Harbour Heat on June 24. Cannabis is a prohibited substance under the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).

Johnson admitted the violation and explained he had used cannabis a week before the match during a momentary lapse on a night out. The Tribunal accepted that he did not use cannabis with the intention of enhancing his sports performance.

The Tribunal stated it had recent banned athletes for between one and two months for cannabis violations and noted that, in this case, such a ban would have harsh consequences for Johnson as the basketball season onlylasts for three months and is shorter than many other sports.

Such a ban would effectively sideline him for the season and may affect whether he would be offered a future contract with the Hawks.

Johnson offered to help other athletes under a drug education programme. While the Tribunal considered a ban was appropriate, it was prepared in the particular circumstances of this case to suspend the ban so long as Johnson participated in a suitable drug education programme for not less than one month.

To obtain the suspension of the ban, Johnson will also be required to satisfy Drug Free Sport New Zealand of his suitability and commitment to a programme that will be of benefit to Drug Free Sport New Zealand.