New Zealand internationals Jesse Bromwich and Kevin Proctor were accused of consuming an illegal substance after last Friday's Test loss to Australia with Roosters star Shaun Kenny-Dowall charged with drug possession.

On Monday, Cronulla under-20 NYC squad member Jesse Savage was issued a court appearance notice for alleged possession of an illegal substance with Sharks chairman Damian Keogh arrested for possession.

"The reputation of our game copped a hiding the last week," Sterling said on Triple M show the Dead Set Legends.

"I think that the punishment should be commensurate with the damage done.

"Our old players are better educated than they have ever been, so it just doesn't wash with me, that 'I made a mistake' (excuse).

"I'm over it, I think 12 games first offence and then second offence, two years, performance-enhancing, four years.”

At present players are first given a warning with a second positive test bringing a 12-week ban for tests conducted by clubs.

If ASADA tests a player and they return a positive test they are banned for two years.

"I just think that you've got to draw a line in the sand, the game has got to make a stand,” Sterling said.

"If you ask every player who plays in the NRL whether it's okay to take drugs, every one of them will say 'of course not.

'"So if you get caught you know you've done the wrong thing, you should cop a harsh penalty because the damage it does to our brand is immeasurable in some ways."