When Collingwood CEO Gary Pert first floated the idea of a drug summit at the recent clubs’ executive conference you would have thought the entire AFL playing list was boarding in a drug soaked fraternity house with a crystal meth lab in the gazebo.
And when Pert’s claim that there was an intrinsic drug problem was questioned by the AFLPA chief Matt Finnis, the Pies’ boss – red faced and with phosphine gas hissing from his ears – took a swipe at the players’ union as well.
Add the AFL’s ardent desire to preserve its unique three strikes policy to the powder keg and this summit had the makings of a spectacular explosion. Not to mention the stories about the “dark underbelly” and “shadowy alliances” of AFL drug culture.
But no, Wednesday’s gathering was a bit of a storm in a teacup, I’m afraid. A little pile of baking soda on a snorting dish.
Ok, apparently there was plenty of information on drugs, and a working party was agreed upon, but the delegates emerged from the proceedings having altered nothing of the drugs policy, or each other’s faces.
In fact, the extreme goodwill exhibited by all participants led some outsiders to suspect they may have been sampling items – brought along by the Australian Drug Foundation for educational purposes only – that require for their manufacture a round-bottom boiling flask and some pseudoephedrine.
One interesting point to emerge though was the “network” of information sources, including supporters, used by some clubs to gauge general drug use or to target suspected individuals. This will ensure some players keep clear of their fan base.
It was also claimed that some clubs have resorted to employing private detectives. Unfortunately it’s not as exciting as it sounds. If a player, while illicitly imbibing, happens to hang his head out the window it won’t be Humphrey Bogart in a Buick staring back at him but a uni student in skinny jeans pretending he’s playing Angry Birds on his iPad.
As we discovered with Ben Cousins, it can be difficult to identify a player’s drug problem, with many dismissing his regular bouts of mid-game projectile vomiting as a case of a strong work ethic. And Collingwood’s supposed alcohol imbibing “bad boy” Dane Swan won a Brownlow and averages 35 disposals a game.
But if there is an illicit drug problem among AFL players I blame an over qualified underpaid chemistry teacher with inoperable lung cancer from Albuquerque, New Mexico: Walter Hartwell White, also known as Heisenberg.
Yes, the TV series Breaking Bad is the problem everyone. When Walt White decides he’s not going to leave his family impoverished, he does what any rational, family loving, chemistry genius with a terminal prognosis does: he begins making and distributing the purest grade of methamphetamine.
Suddenly crystal meth addiction and dissolving your competition in hydrofluoric acid don’t seem so bad if the proceeds are going to poor Walt and his (albeit slightly annoying) family.
We and AFL footballers find ourselves rooting for a serious drug producer and trafficker. Heck, I even found myself getting nervous for Walt’s cold-blooded drug boss (a man who slit his own employee’s throat with a Stanley knife for no good reason) when Walt’s Drug Enforcement Agency brother-in-law started closing in on him.
No, it’s not ideal for our young players to be watching this stuff. It will only densenstise them to drug culture. I suggest all clubs prohibit the watching of this programme.
Let’s look for a positive TV role model for our boys. Here, what’s this?
“He’s smart, good looking, and he’s got a great sense of humor. Michael C. Hall stars as Dexter. Everyone’s favorite serial killer. Miami forensics expert by day and murderer by night, this serial-killer killer is making the world a better place – one homicide at a time…”
Floreat Pica
Guest
The demographic of footy players is that most likely to find these shows; 17-30 year old males with reasonable down-time living in shared accommodation (particularly the junior players). They would be all over anything online.
clipper
Guest
That then proves my point that it's a cult show (I'm sure Dexter would be near the top too) - typically on at odd hours or obscure channels, but downloaded by the fans because they are very good - but outside of the cult status, how mainstream are they and what percentage of the general population, let alone footy players, would have watched it?
amazonfan
Roar Guru
Thanks. :D
Australian Rules
Guest
good post amazon
amazonfan
Roar Guru
It was a great article. :D One part that I found to be interesting: "Some say the illicit drug policy, where they are sent for treatment for the first two strikes before being banned after the third, is too soft. "Drugs are illegal," the lock-them-up lobby repeats. "Why are they treated differently?" Well they are not - we all live under a three-strike policy. When police catch someone carrying drugs for personal use, they will be given a diversion order, not once but twice. Only on the third offence will someone be charged and go to court (only to get a bond)." There is a lot of hypocrisy going around, as represented by his last two sentences: "Football has a drug problem and so does the rest of society. And at least the AFL is trying to do something about it. Many reporters will be covering today's AFL drug summit. None of them are subject to drug testing in their workplace." http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/the-afls-got-a-drug-problem--and-so-do-we-all-20130130-2dka2.html
Floreat Pica
Guest
Re-read, I pointed out that they should get the SAME as the rest of society. Support for those who need, not punishment for personal use of recreational drugs is the ideal for harm minimisation and the way our law enforcement has sought to operate for decades; successfully I believe. When was the last time you heard of someone outside of sport publicly denounced, tried by media, or fired for use of ecstasy? Cocaine? Take the media circus around Michael Phelps admitting to using Marijuana- shameful. At least he 'sucked it up' on camera and managed to save his career gracefully- punished for calling a spade a spade. Former US Presidents have copped less flak for admitting as much. Yet all Australians can be proud of Hawke-ies (still standing?) yard-glass skulling world-record, or how many tinnies Boony can get through on a flight.. and Bravo I say. AFL is about as corporate as it comes, thus the coke comes with the territory. When it becomes a problem in their private lives, thus affecting their career or others('); that's when the clubs should be the first to step in to support (off camera), and only if is beyond their ability should other agencies be involved. As with the rest of society. A harder line? See Phelps vs Bush II/Clinton...
Brewski
Guest
i would be interested to know how many drug tests the boards of BHP, news limited etc etc etc have, even the local doctor or chemist have. Yet young guys are drawn and quartered for doing things that young guys have been doing as a right of passage for time immemorial,( doing stupid things and pushing boundaries) and i am not talking just AF here. Performance enhancing drugs are different IMO though.
Floreat Pica
Guest
A quick google claims it was the fifth most downloaded series of last year- I'm sure that's more indicative of the demographic's awareness of the show than being on a sub-channel.
Arthur fonzarelli.
Guest
Why floreat do AFL players deserve a more supportive approach as opposed to the rest of society ? If anything maybe a harder line should be taken to those who have the privilege of being elite sportspeople ?
clipper
Guest
More the case that it's not on one of the main channels and therefore has never rated well.
Floreat Pica
Guest
That's sensible. I agree that the clubs need to be empowered to know so that they can support their players and act if there is an ongoing issue. I don't feel there's an issue at all though in the vast majority of cases. With recreational drugs the balance needs to be towards support, not punishment- as it is throughout society.
Floreat Pica
Guest
Wouldn't be watching as its on ABC2?? Wow.
The_Wookie
Roar Guru
no there is no data available on self reporting.
Floreat Pica
Guest
Hear-hear, Fred. Australia's mainstream culture if not openly liberal on recreational drugs is at least wilfully ignorant. I would completely disagree that society in the main would be in favour of zero tolerance for recreational drugs such as ecstasy or marijuana use in sport- performance enhancing drugs though would be a different story.
Arthur fonzarelli.
Guest
Is this declining trend of failed tests the result of an increasing trend in self reporting ? Is there data available on self reporting ?
deebhoy
Guest
thanks for the stats mate,i still reckon its hardly the size problem the media are making out.i dont think you have to be football person to have an opinion on the issue.everything he wrote made sense to me
Andy_Roo
Roar Guru
Andrew, I think that there were probably a lot of people around Ben Cousins and people around the West Coast Eagles who knew about his drug issues well before they became public knowlegde. I think a lot of people were in denial and were willing to look the other way. It seems that Gary Pert is not willing to look the other way and good on him for speaking out. Players should only get the opportunity of self reporting once.
The_Wookie
Roar Guru
I also found it interesting that the article was written by the crime reporter and no a football person.
The_Wookie
Roar Guru
The AFL reports annually on drug testing. 2005 - 472 tests - 19 failed, 3 failed 2nd, 0 failed 3rd - 4.03% failure rate 2006 - 486 tests - 9 failed, 0 failed 2nd, 0 failed 3rd - 1.85% failure rate 2007 - 1152 tests - 14 failed, 3 failed 2nd, 0 failed 3rd - 1.2% failure rate 2008 - 1220 tests - 12 failed, 2 failed 2nd, 0 failed 3rd - 0.98% failure rate 2009 - 1568 tests - 14 failed, 2 failed 2nd, 0 failed 3rd - 0.89% failure rate 2010 - 1654 tests - 6 failed, 1 failed 2nd, 1 failed 3rd - 0.36% failure rate 2011 figures will be in the annual report released in march. Essentially over 6 years and 6,552 tests, 74 have failed, 12 have failed the 2nd time, and 1 the third. A failure rate of 1.1%.
fred gallop
Guest
reni Matua (NRL) and Wendell Sailor (RU) got 2 years. Jutin harrison got his contract torn up but got another one soon after. Illicit drugs are not performance enhancing just like alcohol so why should sportsmen in their prime earning years be deprived of income when they dont harm anyone un like train drivers, doctors etc under drugs or alcohol.