kaczur

FOXBORO — “I definitely made a mistake.”

Those were the first words Nick Kaczur said yesterday after the New England Patriots’ single training-camp session, the first time he has spoken to the media since his offseason legal issues came to light in June.

“I definitely made a mistake. It’s football season now. I’m trying to put everything behind me and concentrate on the season now,” Kaczur said. “It’s a good thing. I have the support of a great organization and my teammates were all behind me and my family and my wife. It’s just time to focus on the season now and put everything behind me.”

He is grateful that the Patriots did not release him in the wake of the arrest.

“Definitely. How could you not be? I’m definitely very thankful for that.”

Kaczur was pulled over on the New York State Thruway on April 27 for speeding. He was stopped for going 76 mph in a 65-mph zone. According to police reports, Kaczur was found to have 202 OxyContin pills, stamped with the letters CDN on one side to show that they were made in his native Canada, in his pocket when he was pulled over.

He was arrested and charged with seventh-degree misdemeanor/possession of a controlled substance. At a court appearance the day before training camp opened on July 23, Kaczur pleaded guilty to speeding and accepted a plea deal that will dismiss his drug charge if he stays out of trouble for six months.

He agreed to participate in a two-year drug-treatment program administered by the Patriots.

On June 4, the Boston Globe reported that after his arrest, Kaczur turned informant for the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, wearing a hidden recording device to help the DEA arrest his alleged dealer.

Kaczur mentioned the support he has received from New England during this time, but didn’t go into specifics.

“That’s kind of between me and the team. What happened in there is kind of between us,” he said. “All I can say is that they’re really supportive of me, and it’s a great reflection on what kind of organization we’re in here. They really help their teammates out. It was nice.”

He also would not say why he had so many pills on him when he was arrested in April.

“I’m not going to comment on that. I’m just trying to move on past that and put everything behind me,” Kaczur said.

Asked last night if Kaczur will be suspended by the NFL, league spokesman Greg Aiello said in an e-mail that Kaczur’s case is being reviewed by the commissioner’s office.

The 6-foot-4, 315 pound former third-round draft pick began training camp on the physically unable to perform list, but was on the field on July 27, missing three days and five camp practices.

He started 15 regular-season games and all three postseason games at right tackle last year, but was considered the weak leak on a line that included three Pro Bowlers in Dan Koppen, Logan Mankins and Matt Light. Kaczur did say that all of his teammates have been supportive of him and called it a “family-like atmosphere” that he’s lucky to be around.

OxyContin is the commercial name for the drug oxycodone, a powerful pain killer with opiate-like effects. According to the DEA, the most serious risk associated with overdosing on the drug is respiratory depression; a large enough dose could be lethal.

Today’s camp schedule:

2:30-4:30 p.m.

smanza@projo.com