AFL wants players’ support on drug review
In the wake of several positive drugs tests, AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan said last week the league will go over the standard performance-enhancing drugs policy, which is linked to ASADA.
But the AFL also plans to look at the separate three-strikes policy, which has operated with the voluntary support of the players association.
“I have no doubt we’re dealing with a new environment and what we have to do is understand that our policy ought to be reviewed and changed according to that environment,” AFL football operations manager Mark Evans told 3AW.
“The availability of drugs in the community and the prevalance of use and attitudes, the types of drugs and the potential that they be cut or have traces of performance-enhancing substances (all) can’t be ruled out.
“We have to give the players credit for agreeing to have an illicit drug policy, but we also need their support to make sure we review it and make sure it’s relevant for the future.”
You might like
Evans said medical and welfare advice had been for the game to provide support for players who had recorded strikes under the illicit drugs policy, but also target test them.
“For most people, that works very, very well,” he said.
“The question we have to go with in the future is there is a balance between an individual’s rights and responsibilities.
“There’s a balance between the education and welfare of those individuals and the reputation of the broader playing group and the industry.”
– AAP
