The AFL has confirmed a stricter illicit drugs policy under which a player’s identity will become public after a second positive test.
Previously, the player’s identity was kept anonymous until a third strike.
A second positive test will mean a four-game suspension and a $5000 fine, while a third strike will result in a 12-game ban.
AFL football operations manager Mark Evans and AFL Players’ Association chief executive Paul Marsh announced the revised policy on Wednesday afternoon in Melbourne.
The policy has been in place since 2005 and regularly has attracted criticism for being too lenient on players who test positive.
But the league and the players have pointed out it is a voluntary policy, separate to the standard anti-doping code.
The new policy follows a seven-month review process involving the AFL, its players and clubs.
“The landscape of illicit drugs’ use is changing reasonably rapidly … we want to deter our players from using illicit drugs,” Marsh said.
The major components of the evolved Illicit Drugs Policy are as follows:
· Enhanced player education and counselling programs – to help players with meaningful and lasting behavioural changes
· Appropriate system of medical interventions as required – delivered by the AFL Medical Officer, AFL Doctors and medical experts
· Opportunity for players to modify behaviour at first detection – interventions at this stage do not involve a playing or financial sanction but will trigger education and counselling programs, along with target testing.
· Stricter set of consequences for players who fail to modify their behaviour – public suspension and fine after second detection
· Increased Club involvement – Clubs informed earlier and greater involvement in education and counselling programs
· Urine testing and year-round hair testing – urine testing to determine consequences, hair testing to monitor behaviour and direct target testing and education programs
· No public release of results – the AFL will no longer release the results of illicit drug testing
· Self-notification – Players will be permitted one self-notification, allowed only if they have not previously been identified under the Illicit Drugs Policy.
· Players in the AFL’s Talent Pathway programs will also undergo testing with detections of an illicit substance to be communicated to the respective club doctor once drafted.
Interventions and consequences are as follows:
1st Detection: $5,000 financial sanction (suspended) and compulsory counselling and education programs.
2nd Detection: Four match suspension and $5,000 sanction imposed. Club notified and the suspension confirmed publically.
3rd Detection: 12 match suspension
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