Right: the AFL's Adrian Anderson: 'Our whole Illicit Drug policy is about helping players'.
Background information
In 1990 the AFL developed an anti-doping code in an attempt to prevent players taking performance-enhancing drugs.In 2005, the AFL extended its anti-doping policy to other illicit drugs, which included cannabis, cocaine and ecstasy. With the addition of its illicit-drug policy, testing would be done both in-season and out-of-season, and both pre and post match. This measure was taken in part because the AFL believed it had an obligation to protect the health of athletes and the good name and integrity of the sport.
This policy was endorsed by the AFL Players' Association (AFLPA) on the grounds that it would provide an early warning of problem drug-use, and in addition the standard playing contract included a clause that required players to submit themselves 'without
limitation (to) a blood or urine test'.
The AFL resolved that its illicit-drugs policy should be both preventative and punitive. That is, it should aim to educate, counsel and treat players on illicit drug use as well as punishing those who used a banned substance.
By 2007, the AFL's Illicit-drugs Policy had been further refined and now operates in the following manner:
The testing
Every AFL player is tested out of competition for illicit drugs at least once a year.
There will be up to 1500 illicit drug tests to be conducted over a 12-month period.
Greater target testing of players returning to the club out of season will take place from the end of 2008.
Players who record a failed drug test are also target-tested.
The drugs
Players are tested for all the major illicit drugs including heroin, cocaine, cannabis, ice, ecstasy, Ketamine and GHB
The sanctions
Sanctions apply on the first and second time a player fails an out of competition illicit drug test.
A fine of $5000 applies to the first failed test and a 6 week suspension applies on the second. Both sanctions are suspended and are activated on the third failed test, bringing suspension up to a maximum of 18 weeks.
The suspension for a failed third test for marijuana has been increased to a maximum of 12 weeks in line with the other illicit drugs, on the advice of experts of marijuana's increasingly harmful effect on mental health.
On the third test failure a player has to appear before a specially convened AFL tribunal.
Support
For a first in- or out-of-season offence players have to undertake private counselling, while for a second offence they are asked to submit to a rehabilitation program.
Additional medical and other support will be given as required. The club's medical officer is informed of and may be involved in these treatment decisions.
Confidentiality
After a first and second test failure the only member of the club who is informed is the club's medical officer, who has a role in assisting the player's rehabilitation.
Where multiple failed tests have occurred at a club, the Club's CEO is formally informed of the failed tests but the identity of the player(s) involved remains confidential until the third failed test.
When a player who has failed a test is traded to, or drafted by, another club, the new club's chief medical officer is informed of the failed test(s).
Test-record lapses
A players' failed test will lapse if there is no repeat offence over four years.