"You don't throw a whole life away just 'cause it's banged up a little" (part deux)

[my miss storm cat]

We haven't had one of these conversations in quite a while...

What do you all think of this?

I think it's insanity.

Poor kid...

From SCMP.

Chiu gets record ban for using drugs again
Patrick Allen

Jockey Marco Chui Kwan-lai's career is in tatters after he was banned by Hong Kong Jockey Club stewards yesterday after being caught for a second time using the recreational drug ketamine.

Chui, 23, has had his licence suspended for a record 12 months for testing positive to using the drug after receiving a six-month ban only last May for ketamine use.

He will need to provide sufficient evidence to the licensing committee if he is to be re-issued with his licence after the expiration of his suspension on January 25, 2011.

"Chui was found guilty of having breached Rule of Racing 60(1) in that the sample of urine supplied after the Happy Valley meeting on January 20 was found upon analysis to show the presence of ketamine," chief steward Kim Kelly said.

"In assessing the penalty, the stewards were cognisant of the fact that Chui has previously been penalised for breaching the same rule. He was also advised that, notwithstanding his right of appeal, should he submit an application for a jockey's licence in the future, the stewards would recommend to the licensing committee that he be required to appear before them to `show cause' why such licence ought to be granted."


Chui had pleaded not guilty to the charges and may still appeal against the suspension.

http://racing.scmp.com/freeservice/n...s20100219b.asp


(Background piece)...

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Chui fears for career as drug test on B sample shows 'irregularities'
Patrick Allen

Suspended jockey Marco Chui Kwan-lai is one step closer to potentially losing his license after an independently tested "B sample" also returned a positive to an unnamed prohibited substance yesterday.
Chui, 23, returned an "irregular A sample" in a routine drug check after the Happy Valley meeting on January 20, and an inquiry into his initial positive was adjourned until the results of the "B sample" were available. It is understood Jockey Club stewards will reconvene the inquiry next week, and the hearing could determine Chui's future as a jockey.

Chui's record is not good as he was banned for six months after testing positive for ketamine last May, and his latest incident came only two months after he finished serving the six-month sentence for use of the recreational drug.

"The stewards have a report from Dr Yves Bonnaire, director of the Laboratoire des Courses Hippiques in France, stating the independent analysis of the reserve portion of jockey Chui's urine sample provided at the Happy Valley race meeting conducted on January 20 has confirmed the presence of a prohibited substance," chief steward Kim Kelly said. "We believe it inappropriate to publicly announce the analyst's findings at this time, and a further release will be issued when a time and date for the inquiry into the sample irregularity has been finalised."

Jockey Club security staff surrounded Chui's Fo Tan apartment while officials searched the premises for evidence after the initial test results, but not before Chui allegedly updated his Facebook status with the despondent message, "My career is over".

Chui was champion apprentice in the 2007-08 season, but, since finishing his apprenticeship, has struggled to build momentum and has been continually hampered by suspensions. He has ridden only five winners this term after returning to the saddle from his previous drug ban on November 18 last year.

http://racing.scmp.com/freeservice/n...s20100209a.asp

Anyone who knows me knows I believe in a last chance, one after that and another one after that...

How about you?

Is this right? Do we give multiple chances because we're compassionate or is that stupidity... are they endangering other riders / horses?

Thoughts?

[hoovesupsideyourhead]

ketomine is bad stuff its a tranquilizer for cattle..i think

[my miss storm cat]

Originally Posted by hoovesupsideyourhead

ketomine is bad stuff its a tranquilizer for cattle..i think

Oh wow, really?

Sad.

I wonder if it's big in HK or if better drugs (you know what I mean) weren't available or if it's addicting or what...

[The Bid]

He's essentially a kid. I think it's all part of a learning process. I think a light sentence and some help is probably the way to go.

I've never used any recreational drugs but I do not think people should be grilled over any drug use

[Sightseek]

Originally Posted by hoovesupsideyourhead

ketomine is bad stuff its a tranquilizer for cattle..i think

Cat tranq - in the clubs it's referred to as Special K.

[Gaining Ground]

in any other profession, if you fail a drug test, you dont have the job anymore.

[chucklestheclown]

Originally Posted by Gaining Ground

in any other profession, if you fail a drug test, you dont have the job anymore.

In almost any other "profession" you are not risking your life and limb every second of the day. Geesh...he's not counting your money at Wal-Mart.

[FGFan]

Ketomine is a cat tranq as Sighty said but is also used to euthanize, that's some bad, bad &hit!!! Highly controlled substance.

I dunno... think that if that's what they found it is an endangerment to others, a long suspension and rehab is definitely called for if it is "special K".

[Danzig]

thing is, unless and until the addict recognizes they have a problem and that they want to change, there's nothing anyone can do to help them-or to force them to quit. if this guy isn't at that point, then no one can do a thing. it's all well and good to say give another chance, but you can't just keep doing that. it's a high risk job, and doesn't just affect the one rider. the track needs to take care of the other riders, the horses, and all the other employees. if this guy doesn't want to change, he doesn't need to be riding. a suspension until he's sober, and stays that way, would be more helpful than a suspension with an end date.

[Gaining Ground]

Originally Posted by chucklestheclown

In almost any other "profession" you are not risking your life and limb every second of the day. Geesh...he's not counting your money at Wal-Mart.

no one is forcing him to ride horses. he chose this profession. because it's a high risk job shouldnt mean he can take drugs like special k. i dont know how familiar you are with the drug, but its bad news.

the fact that it is a high risk job should be all the reason why he shouldnt be allowed to ride if he has it in his system. i wish him well and hope he gets the help he needs. but the punishment seems fair.

[freddymo]

Originally Posted by Sightseek

Cat tranq - in the clubs it's referred to as Special K.

Hook me up

[NoChanceToDance]

"ket" is rife around this parts of England, it has become the 'fashionable' drug of younge people in the last couple of years - probably because it's readily available on the market and no where near as expensive (or it never used to be) as other high profile (fashionable) drugs such as beak, AMT or MDMA.

It's bad, bad stuff and if he has been using before taking rides. He deserves everything he gets, as he wouldn't just be putting his own life in danger, but others as well....... and when it gets to that depth, no punishment can be too harsg in my honest opinion.

[Sightseek]

Originally Posted by freddymo

Hook me up

If you ever saw someone go into a K Hole you wouldn't want any!

[Antitrust32]

Originally Posted by hoovesupsideyourhead

ketomine is bad stuff its a tranquilizer for cattle..i think

cat tranq i think?

[Antitrust32]

Originally Posted by NoChanceToDance

"ket" is rife around this parts of England, it has become the 'fashionable' drug of younge people in the last couple of years - probably because it's readily available on the market and no where near as expensive (or it never used to be) as other high profile (fashionable) drugs such as beak, AMT or MDMA.

It's bad, bad stuff and if he has been using before taking rides. He deserves everything he gets, as he wouldn't just be putting his own life in danger, but others as well....... and when it gets to that depth, no punishment can be too harsg in my honest opinion.

I've heard it makes you float above your body.. so if he is doing that and racing at the same time that is pretty darn bad!

[chucklestheclown]

That is an unfair advantage weight-wise. Hang him!

[my miss storm cat]

Wow.

21 months.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/waikato-times...d-disqualified