AFL PLAYERS must "make a stand" and "be at the forefront" of playing a leading role in combating the problem of illicit drugs, Swans star Kieren Jack says.
The AFL's illicit drugs policy has become a hot topic in recent weeks, with League chief executive Gillon McLachlan suggesting it was time for the AFL to review both the performance-enhancing and illicit drugs policies in the wake of the Essendon supplements saga and the positive tests of Fremantle tagger Ryan Crowley and Collingwood duo Josh Thomas and Lachlan Keeffe.
That led to many senior AFL figures, including Hawthorn president Andrew Newbold, suggesting there needed to be a tougher stance on illicit drugs across the competition.
Melbourne coach Paul Roos also said the League needed to closely examine the existing illicit drugs policy.
On Wednesday, AFL football operations manager Mark Evans said the League could not simply react to criticism of its policy and implement changes without the players' support.
However, he added: "We need the players to come on board with us. I think we're equally committed to reviewing the policy.”
Jack told Fox Footy on Wednesday night that both the players and the AFL needed to be leading the fight against the use of illicit drugs across broader society.
"We need to be at the forefront of it," Jack said.
"There is a huge social issue at the moment going on and we need to be aware of that.
"As players, we are role models to the generation coming through and to the general public, and we need to make a stand on it."
The crux of the debate in AFL circles centres upon the AFL’s three-strikes policy, with many suggesting it should be tightened to one or two strikes at the most.
Jack stopped short of fully supporting a one-strike policy, suggesting he was in favour of giving players the chance to rehabilitate.
"Certainly if people are doing it knowingly, you can go down that approach," Jack said.
"But I still believe there needs to be the ability to rehabilitate (players who have problems with illicit drugs)."
