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Let’s say you’re a bloke aged 22 or 23 and you get paid $400,000, $500,000 a year (or more, maybe a lot more) to play football. You probably live in a big city, and you like to party.
Your employer tests your piss on an unusually frequent basis, but if that weren’t the case, the chances you use recreational drugs now and then would be pretty high.
You’re more inclined towards ecstasy or cocaine. And weed on a Sunday afternoon, unless you’re playing.
Of course, cannabis stays in your system for a lot longer than a lot of other drugs so under the current regime should probably be avoided. But some drugs are out in two or three days. Some don’t show up on standard tests, like alpha-PVP – which is terrible for you but basically undetectable.
You use, but if you get caught or talk about it, you could get in strife – so instead of trying to get advice or even to get help with controlling or reducing or ending your drug use – you keep it a secret.
In 2008 I interviewed Bryan Cousins, father of Ben. He struck me as a devoted dad doing everything he could to get his son back on track. Since then, Ben Cousins has shown alarming signs of deterioration.
Who at West Coast first knew of Cousins’ problems? How early on? What was done about it? Ultimately Cousins was the recipient of significant support – but a lot of damage was done under the cover of the early secrecy.
A worse situation faced Ezra Bray, a talented young footballer cut loose by a club – Geelong – which had eventually identified his substance abuse and decided, in effect, that it wasn’t their problem.
Things have changed in the AFL over the past decade. There’s a greater awareness and a greater inclination towards assisting rather than either ignoring the problem or jettisoning the player.
However, the idea that players who use drugs that don’t enhance performance – but are illegal – must be penalised or shamed continues to have currency in some circles.
Cocaine, ecstasy, and cannabis are illegal, and therefore morally wrong (unlike alcohol which is totally fine and causes no physical or social damage whatsoever) so the League is expected take a dim view of their use.
In the US, the spiritual home of the War On Drugs, zero tolerance has produced ridiculous scenarios.
NFL player Ricky Williams was flogged by all sorts of self-appointed moral guardians, and lost lucrative endorsements, because not only did he smoke weed – he actively promoted its medicinal benefits.
The guy suffered social anxiety disorder and maintained that weed was ‘ten times better’ for him than the legal drug Paxil. Paxil, of course, is okay with corporate sponsors even though its side effects include headaches, drowsiness, insomnia, nausea, constipation, weight fluctuations, dizziness, impotence, dry mouth and tinnitus.
Michael Phelps was the centre of a storm of confected outrage after a photo of him smoking a bong emerged. Cannabis and swimming is a bad mix, but he pulled it off by virtue of his talent and fitness and hard work.
Elsewhere, Canadian snowboarder Ross Rebagliati almost lost his gold medal from the ‘98 Olympics after testing positive to weed. The guy was so high so often he should have got an extra medal for showing up to his events on time.
In our own code, there has been Karmichael Hunt’s claims that cocaine use was widespread at Gold Coast, Harley Bennell’s alleged issues, 11 players at Collingwood testing positive to illicit substances during the offseason, Matthew Stokes (Geelong/Essendon) charged in 2010 with possession and indeed trafficking after being found with one gram of cocaine.
Illicit drugs use by AFL players is a health issue. AFL players should be discouraged from engaging in activity that is detrimental to their health in the same way we all should.
In terms of the employer-employee relationship, a club may include a contractual requirement that a player doesn’t engage in drugs that damage their performance (and/or health). This is distinct from the League, or indeed other authorities, intervening and banning players who are taking substances that give them no unfair advantage on the field.
The AFL’s policy of three strikes before a suspension has been criticised as “soft” by advocates of zero tolerance. It’s actually more punitive than the Australian Institute of Sports four strikes system and the A-League’s approach.
Others have said the AFL’s preference for confidentiality and counselling – treating drug use as a health issue – is somehow “hiding” the issue. They can get stuffed.
I don’t give a damn whether it’s three strikes or four or more. Players using drugs that do not give them an unfair advantage on the field should not be “named and shamed” and they should not be banned by virtue of mandatory sentencing regime. It is a matter between the player and their club, and their doctor, and whomever they wish to discuss it with. If a club chooses to suspend a player after three “strikes” because that is the approach that best suits the individual situation, then that’s fair enough.
However, in addition to being a private health issue, it is arguably a public health issue, which is more complicated.
Now here’s the thing. An AFL player taking coke is a story, and then once it’s in the news kids read about it, and then the people who put it in the news in the first place say it’s a bad example to the kids. Why does it have to be in the news? Unless publicised, the drug use of players is not a ‘role model’ issue.
I’m not saying there should be a conspiracy of silence when it comes to the use of all drugs. If someone is Lance Armstronging it then it is rightly a matter for which the player and the club should be held to account publicly.
But if the AFL or the public demands irreproachable conduct in regards to any substance abuse, why does a player-turned-commentator who got drunk and smashed a glass in his partner’s face still have a job?
Driving recreational drug use underground, or at least under the carpet, has had disastrous results for some players we know of and probably many we don’t. Players should be able to talk to their club doctors freely, without fear of reprisal, to get whatever help they need.
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