APPRENTICE jockeys were left in no doubt that alcohol and drug abuse are life threatening and will not be tolerated by racing authorities dedicated to helping the youngsters through turbulent times, reports the Sydney Morning Herald. Its report adds: Racing NSW's chief executive Peter V'landys opened yesterday's four-hour substance-abuse seminar, which was attended by 26 aspiring young riders, with a passionate and chilling address. ''A lot of you will want to daydream, turn off,'' V'landys said

APPRENTICE jockeys were left in no doubt that alcohol and drug abuse are life threatening and will not be tolerated by racing authorities dedicated to helping the youngsters through turbulent times, reports the Sydney Morning Herald.

Its report adds: Racing NSW's chief executive Peter V'landys opened yesterday's four-hour substance-abuse seminar, which was attended by 26 aspiring young riders, with a passionate and chilling address.

''A lot of you will want to daydream, turn off,'' V'landys said. ''This could change your life.''

V'landys talked about ability, focus, hard work and discipline, while Racing NSW's chief steward Ray Murrihy informed the gathering the world's greatest jockey, Lester Piggott, said only one thing when asked what it took to be the best,''dedication''.

V'landys said ''undesirables'' had a history and would continue to prey upon vulnerable young jockeys and ''your challenge is to pick real friends''.

''Predators and parasites will destroy you,'' V'landys said. ''Don't fall for these sorts of people, the ones that want to put drugs in your system that fry your brains aren't real friends.''

He spoke about ''people thinking they are indestructible'' and added, ''the cemetery is full of them''.

''Predators can profit off these young people,'' V'landys said. ''Target them, chew them up and spit them out.''

Murrihy revealed racing authorities had conducted more than 500 drug tests on licensed people last year and 63 had returned positives, which was described as ''a terrible statistic''. ''Symbolic of a problem in racing and in public life,'' Murrihy said.