The AFL and the AFL Players’ Association today announced proposed amendments to the AFL Illicit Drugs Policy (IDP) following the release of the latest IDP player testing results which showed a significant increase in failed tests for the 2012 season.

Out-of-competition player tests for illicit drug use in 2012 (not Performance Enhancing Drugs – see background information below) resulted in 26 detections – up from six detections in 2011.

The 2012 results and the proposed changes to the IDP were outlined in a meeting today of the CEOs of the 18 AFL Clubs, and follow a Player Welfare Summit held in January at which the issue of illicit drug use was discussed and a Working Party established to strengthen the IDP.

AFL Chief Executive Officer Andrew Demetriou said the increase last season was concerning, but also reinforced the need for a medical-based policy that tests players all-year round and provides early intervention in the form of expert counselling and treatment.

“The rise in detections in 2012 reflects both an increase in the number and effectiveness of target tests conducted as well as the well-documented jump in illicit drug availability and use in the broader community,” Mr Demetriou said.

“Illicit drug use is a significant issue in society, with Victoria Police reporting a 17 per cent increase in drug offences across the State last year.  Just this week, Ambulance Victoria figures revealed a doubling of call-outs for crystal methamphetamine, known as ice, within a 12-month period.

“The AFL playing group largely falls within the high risk 18-30 male age group and individual players are not immune to peer group pressure and poor decision-making. However, the use of illicit drugs in the AFL playing group remains substantially lower compared with the same age group of males in the wider community.”

Proposed amendments – subject to the final endorsement of the AFLPA Executive and AFL Commission – to the AFL’s Illicit Drugs Policy announced today by the IDP Working Party are:

• A player will be permitted to self-report illicit drug use only once during his AFL career;
• Clubs, based on their own observations, will be able to request the AFL Medical Directors to conduct additional target testing of a player or players;
• Continue the move to more targeted testing at more targeted times;
• Increased level of hair testing during the high risk off season;
• Players identified by the AFL Medical Directors of acting or displaying an attitude contrary to the objectives and spirit of the IDP will be directed to undergo a more intense education and counselling program and will be named to their Club CEO if there is no change in behaviour;
• The AFL Medical Directors to regularly provide greater de-identified feedback to clubs on IDP testing results and trends across the competition;
• Appropriate training to be provided to Club CEOs and player leadership groups in mental health ‘first aid’ to assist dealing with players coping with mental health issues; and
• Continue to revise and enhance the regular drug education program delivered to players.

AFL Medical Director, Dr Peter Harcourt said the Working Party would continue to review how the Policy works in practice to address trends and observations about illicit drug use amongst players and more broadly in the community.

In 2012, a total of 1979 tests were conducted, with no match day positives recorded and 26 out-of-competition detections. This represented a 1.31 per cent detection rate. There are three current players on two detections who are subject to intense target testing as part of their treatment programs.

Throughout the 2012 season the AFL Medical Directors proactively addressed the emerging upward trend in detections, and this included meetings with specific clubs where potential cultural or leadership issues were identified through follow-up player interviews.

The illicit drug testing program has now seen just over 10,000 tests conducted since the IDP was adopted in 2005. The increase in detections last year followed five consecutive years from 2005 in which fail rates had consistently fallen and then stablilised in 2011.

“Drug and medical experts strongly endorse the AFL Illicit Drugs Policy and its focus on intervention and treatment, enabling young men to be treated for potentially serious health issues such as depression or addiction,” Dr Harcourt said.

“Our experience is that the use of illicit drugs by most players is opportunistic and almost always related to external peer group use in social circumstances away from their football club, and often preceded by excessive drinking.

“This underlines the importance of the so-called ‘three strikes’ model, as supported by all clubs, and also the continuing need for education about the risks associated with illicit or recreational drug use.”

“It is disappointing to see a rise in the number of positive tests. Today’s results are a reminder that illicit drugs are a problem across society, and that football cannot afford to be complacent. However the current testing regime allows us to determine which players have issues with misuse of drugs and get them into appropriate treatment programs, supported by their club’s doctor,” AFL Players’ Association CEO Matt Finnis said.

“AFL players have agreed to this testing process because they understand that drugs are an issue across society and are a health risk to players. The medical approach to drug use is the best way to protect players’ health. We want a system that is devised and controlled by doctors and drug experts. Tackling the use of illicit drugs is a co-operative effort involving players, clubs and the AFL.

 
“We are always willing to review the IDP, based on our experience and feedback from players and clubs, and that’s what we have done. We will continue to work with clubs and provide them with information, but we are not prepared to compromise on the principle of confidentiality which we believe is essential to protect the health of players. I cannot see how informing club CEOs will achieve anything that informing club doctors will not.”

 AFL ILLICIT DRUG POLICY RESULTS – YEAR BY YEAR

The breakdown by type is as follows:

Mr Demetriou praised the voluntary cooperation of the AFL playing group as well as the backing of the AFLPA and the clubs, and thanked AFL Medical Directors Dr Peter Harcourt and Dr Harry Unglik as well as the AFL Medical Officers Association and the club doctors.

BACKGROUND

The AFL Illicit Drugs Policy runs in parallel with the WADA (World Anti-Doping Authority) compliant AFL Anti-Doping Code, overseen by ASADA, which primarily targets performance enhancing drugs and illicit substances through match day testing.

Detections from IDP testing are managed by the AFL Medical Directors who oversee the medical management of players for the first two detections. This management includes input from the relevant club doctor and an external drug expert. A third detection will result in direct referral to the AFL Football Operations General Manager. A positive for illicit drugs in game day testing (managed by ASADA) results in an immediate referral to the AFL Tribunal for open hearing under the AFL Anti-Doping Code.

AFL football, with the agreement and support of the entire AFL playing group, remains the only sport in Australia to publicly release its testing figures for illicit drugs. The NRL and Cricket Australia are the only other Australian sports which test for illicit substances outside of the competition period.  

The Anti-Doping Code, established in 1990, tests on match days under protocols established by the World Anti-Doping Authority (WADA), and primarily targets performance-enhancing drugs. These tests are conducted by the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA).

Under the WADA Code, if a player tests positive for performance enhancing drugs on match day they face a ban of up to two years.

The Illicit Drugs Policy, operational since 2005, is over and above the ASADA match day testing and tests out-of-competition for illicit drugs. It is a voluntary policy developed in conjunction with the AFL Players’ Association and is based on a medical model – one that focuses on education, counselling and treatment.

The threefold aims of the AFL Illicit Drugs Policy are:

1. To educate players about the serious dangers of using illicit drugs;
2. To identify any player who has made the poor choice to use drugs and to direct them immediately into appropriate counselling and treatment programs; and
3. To provide the necessary intervention and support to change the behaviour of those identified.

Any player who does not respond to counselling and treatment programs – and who has failed a test for the third time – is subject to a financial sanction of $5000 and a suspension of up to 18 matches. A player suspended in such circumstances will continue to receive treatment and counselling to ensure the best chances of changing their behaviour.

IDP WORKING PARTY

Members of the Working Party are:

• AFL Club Chief Executive Officers – Travis Auld, Gold Coast Suns FC, Stuart Fox, Hawthorn FC and Gary Pert, Collingwood FC.
• AFL Players’ Association – Matt Finnis, Chief Executive Officer.
• AFL Medical Officers’ Association – Dr Hugh Seward, President, Dr Ben Baressi, Carlton FC
• AFL – Andrew Demetriou (Chairman of Working Party), Andrew Dillon, Tony Peek and Dr Peter Harcourt, AFL Medical Director.

Ends

Patrick Keane