James O'Connor - where to now?

The following from News24:-
"Former All Black Ali Williams and Australian star James O'Connor, who were both arrested in a cocaine bust in the centre of Paris, will discover their French league disciplinary fate on April 19, officials said Thursday.

The French national league (LNR) had been expected to hand down a decision on Thursday, but a disciplinary commission spokesman said they were waiting to receive "complementary elements" before making a decision.

Williams and O'Connor were arrested after a police drug bust outside a nightclub near the Champs Elysees in February and later fined -- Williams for buying cocaine and O'Connor for using it.

The 35-year-old former lock Williams was fired by French Top 14 champions Racing 92 and O'Connor, 26, recently returned to Toulon following suspension by the club.

"I have given all the evidence, and I think they will understand that I was in the wrong place at the wrong time, so yes, I'm sure it will work out," said O'Connor as he left the meeting on Wednesday after the opening session.

O'Connor was to my mind one of the most promising youngsters in World Rugby when he burst on the scene initially.   However, he seemed to have fallen into wrong habits early as well.

Initially he got involved and became known as one of the "three amigos" - the other two being Beale and Cooper.   It initially was serious alcohol abuse and that led to bad publicity all over the show.   Beale had to get treatment for alcohol abuse - and Cooper also seemed to get on a more acceptable basis recently.

I doubt not that at least O'Connor got into the drug abuse scene during that period - after all it is Australia where public toilets have buckets with notices "Put your used needles in here".

However, things got so bad for him in Australia - no franchise would put up with it - so he went off to France - where now is facing expulsion from his club due to cocaine usage.   He is extremely likely to be given the boot by his club.

So where to from here?   Nobody would really  want O'Connor - a loose cannon at the best of times.    He may even end up in SA - where the Police is so thoroughly corrupt that he may get away with getting drugs easily - but will any franchise want him around?   Otherwise he might get a job in Japan - So lets wait and see what happens next to the "Amigo".

It is indeed sad to see such talent go down this road.
Unfortunately, this drug issue is rife in all walks of life today and sadly no country appears to be able or determined to address this issue once and for all. 
Canada has just legalized recreational use of WEED, so the government is now open to drug taxation to fill their coffers.
Just goes to show that everything is a go as long as you can profit from it irrespective of the consequences to society.
Trust that the two individuals involved in this case have the strength to turn their lives around and are afforded an opportunity of once again displaying their rugby skills.
Watching and hoping.

This issue has been done with and time to move on. I think the media and the police have turned this into a circus. 
Not ideal behaviour for a professional sportsperson, but nothing that millions of other people have not done. 
case closed. 
James Oconners link to New Zealand has only made matters worse.
Carter's case (other than Drink Driving) was dragged out for ages. How long does it take to have a B sample taken. Perhaps conspiracy theory stuff where only sample Z was negative.
AIG has been complaining about the All Black brand being tarnished. 

 O'connor was a great footy player but arse at being a look out !Mikey do you want people to just toss used needles on the ground then ? Drug abuse doesnt go away because you turn a blind eye to it ,harm minimization as my missus [ who was one of the people who advocated for needle exchanges and places to safely dispose of used needles as part of her job drafting legislation on drug abuse ] will tell you is the only thing that actually works .The incidence of AIDS and other diseases rises dramatically when as in some parts of the US,needle exchanges and the like are dispensed with for purely political reasons.