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Right: An ABC news report outlining the Hawthorn Football Club's reactions after Travis Tuck's overdose.


Web links and documents

At the end of 2007, the AFL extended its illicit-drugs policy.  The details of this extended policy can be found at http://www.afl.com.au/tabid/13144/Default.aspx?newsId=66504
Further information on the policy can be found at http://www.afl.com.au/Default.aspx?tabid=12211

In 2008, Professors Bob Stewart, Geoff Dickson and Aaron Smith wrote an article titled, 'Drug Use in the Australian Football League: A Critical Survey'.  It was published in Sporting Traditions, 25(1): 57-74 (2008).  
The article gives a detailed account of the AFL's illicit-drugs policy, its development and its operation. It gives detailed accounts of the manner in which a number of players who tested positive have been treated under it.  Though it recognises the AFL's generally good intentions, the article is critical of the intended scope of the illicit-drugs policy and its actual effectiveness.  The full text of this article can be found at http://www.aaronctsmith.com/Article%20PDFs/Stewart%20ST.pdf

On February 3, 2010, the AFL news publication, Roar, published an opinion piece by Luke D'Anello titled, 'Forget the criticism, AFL's drug testing not a soft hand'.  The article suggests that the AFL's illicit-drugs policy is rigorous in its application.
The full text of this article can be found at http://www.theroar.com.au/2010/02/13/afls-drug-testing-is-not-a-soft-hand/

On September 1, 2010, the AFL news publication, Roar, published an opinion piece by Michael DiFabrizio titled, 'Has the AFL's three strikes policy been vindicated?',  Though the piece argues that the current plight of Travis Tuck indicates there is still room for improvement, it is essentially positive in its attitude to the AFL's illicit-drugs policy.  The full text of this opinion piece can be found at http://www.theroar.com.au/2010/09/01/has-the-afls-three-strikes-policy-been-vindicated/

On September 2, 2010, AFL general manager of operations, Mr Adrian Anderson, issued a statement defending the AFL's illicit-drugs policy and its operation in the case of Travis Tuck.  The full text of this statement can be found at http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/101796/default.aspx

On September 2, 2010, The Age's 'Real Footy' supplement included an article by Samantha Lane giving the views of Melbourne's Cameron Schwab and Richmond's Brendon Gale both of whom support the current AFL illicit-drugs policy.
The full text of this article can be found at http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/club-doctor-is-best-choice-20100901-14niz.html

On September 2, 2010, Hawthorn President Jeff Kennett criticized the AFL's illicit-drug's policy for not informing the club when Travis Tuck first tested positive for illicit drugs.  Mr Kennett argues that the policy denied the club a chance to assist its player.  
A summary of Mr Kennett's views and a link to the full 3AW interview can be found at
http://www.3aw.com.au/blogs/3aw-football-blog/kennett-again-slams-afl-drug-policy/20100902-14o95.html

On September 3, 2010, The Adelaide Advertiser published an opinion piece by Ken McGregor in which he defended Australian Rules football against allegations that it was violent and drug-ridden.  He commended the operation of the AFL's illicit-drugs policy.  The full text of the article can be found at http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/my-pride-in-afl-mates-values/story-e6frea83-1225914031796

On September 4, 2010, the radical online magazine 'Green Left' published an opinion piece by Stuart Munckton titled, 'Fresh hysteria on drugs and sport'.  The piece is critical of the AFL's illicit-drugs policy for being intrusive and trespassing in players' private lives.  The full text of this article can be found at http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/45272

On September 5, 2010, The Age's 'Real Footy' supplement included an opinion by Caroline Wilson in which she suggested that the Hawthorn football club should have handled the cases of a number of its former players with mood disorders with greater understanding.  Her implication is that the club is in no position to simply be critical of the AFL's illicit-drug policy for not being notified of Travis Tuck's emotional problems.  The full text of the article can be found at http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/hawks-not-blameless-20100904-14vc1.html