Stimulants, such as cocaine, remain the choice for players who have tested positive for illicit drugs. Source: News Limited
THE number of positive test results for illicit drug use in the AFL has dropped dramatically from 26 in 2012 to just 15 in 2013.
Only one player recorded a second strike, according to AFL figures released today.
The 2013 results followed changes last year to the league's illicit drugs policy designed to strengthen its detection and deterrence elements in the wake of industry concerns and the ongoing increase in the availability and use of illicit substances across the wider community.
AFL football operations boss Mark Evans said testing enabled early intervention.
"Illicit drug use is a significant issue across the broader community and the AFL playing group largely falls within the high-risk 18-30 male age group," he said.
"Individual players are not immune to peer group pressure and poor decision-making, but under this policy they have ready access to expert support and treatment to overcome the potential health impacts.
"Significantly, our advice is that the rate of illicit drug use within the AFL playing group remains substantially lower compared with the same age group of young men in the wider community."
Stimulants, such as cocaine, remain the drugs of choice for players — with all positive tests related to stimulant use.
The league has not released data about how many players "self-reported" drug use, although their ability to self report was limited to one instance during their career in changes to the policy last year.
The AFL's illicit drugs policy is separate to its anti-doping rules, and players who test positive for an illicit drug on matchday that is also banned under the WADA code would be subject to anti-doping rules.
No matchday positives were recorded in 2013.
AFL players volunteer to be part of the illicit drugs policy and allow the results of testing to be released.
Players were subjected to 1998 tests in 2013, meaning a detection rate of 0.75 per cent.
"A number of AFL clubs continue to assist the AFL Medical Directors to identify and target test 'at risk' individuals at their clubs so we can intervene to address issues such as susceptibility to mental illness and drug addiction. Players are also identified for target testing through hair testing during the high risk off-season," said the AFL's chief medico, Dr Peter Harcourt.
"Most players detected in 2013 reported they accessed illicit substances opportunistically while socialising with friendship groups outside their clubs and the wider AFL community, and almost always after significant alcohol consumption."
Dr Harcourt said that under changes to the IDP agreed to last year, the Medical Directors had been providing greater de-identified feedback to club administrators and boards as well as specific illicit drug and mental health education to player leadership groups so they can more easily identify players who may need support and who should be target tested.
AFLPA acting CEO Ian Prendergast said: "This is the most developed illicit drug policy in world sport and we strongly believe the medical approach to drug use is the best way to protect players' health."
AFLPA President Luke Ball said: "AFL players have voluntarily agreed to this additional testing process because they understand that drugs are a very real issue within society, and that players are not immune to this.
"As such, we will continue working with clubs and the AFL to ensure our education and testing system remains a best practice policy."
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