Wayne Bennett says the NRL will never stamp out drugs in the game - but not for lack of trying.
The Brisbane coach backed the NRL's illicit drugs policy despite the league becoming embroiled in a cocaine scandal, saying fallen Cronulla star Ben Barba's current plight showed the system worked.
A nightmare week for the NRL was capped by New Zealand duo Jesse Bromwich and Kevin Proctor sparking another illicit drugs scandal.
The pair copped bans from their NRL clubs and were cut from New Zealand's 2017 World Cup squad after CCTV footage showed them with cocaine outside a Canberra nightclub following last week's Test loss to Australia.
It was another blow after Sharks chairman Damian Keogh and Sydney Roosters star Shaun Kenny-Dowall were arrested on drug possession charges.
The NRL will reportedly ramp up drug testing as a result.
Asked how the NRL could stop the illicit drug problem, Bennett said: "You can't stop it.
"It's not going to stop.
"But I've got confidence in the game. I am more than happy with the procedure and what we do in the game.
"These guys get tested every second day.
"(But) we're never going to get it perfect."
Bennett believed Barba was proof the current policy got results.
Ex-Cronulla fullback Barba copped a 12-match ban for a second cocaine positive test in the off-season.
He left for French rugby outfit Toulon on a two-year deal but is soon to be without a club after being told he won't be required next season.
"If you keep taking it you are going to get caught," Bennett said.
"Ben Barba is a good example. He's been rubbed out of the game.
"He went to French rugby and now he hasn't got a club.
"It hasn't worked out for him over there. Don't tell me it is not working."
Proctor and Bromwich received sympathy from fellow NRL players after being caught out on a night of heavy drinking.
But Bennett says it is a "cop-out" for players to blame alcohol for their poor judgement call.
"Of course it is a cop out," he said.
"What we need is young men to take the responsibility that comes with their positions.
"They need to take ownership of their bad behaviour."
