Mega Thread Hot Topic - Drugs and AFL

Remove this Banner Ad

RussellEbertHandball said:
AFL statement

www.afl.com.au

AFL statement on Illicit Drug Policy

The AFL has an Illicit Drug Policy which has been in place since 2005, and at the core of the policy is a commitment to player wellbeing and welfare
www.afl.com.au www.afl.com.au

As well as being a signatory to World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) code via the Australian Football Anti-Doping Code, the AFL has an Illicit Drug Policy which has been in place since 2005, and at the core of the policy is a commitment to player wellbeing and welfare.

The AFL Illicit Drug Policy (IDP) is a policy that specifically deals with the use of illicit substances out of competition and is focussed on player health and well-being. The policy seeks to reduce substance use and drug-related harms for AFL players and aims to inform and rehabilitate players through education and intervention.

It exists alongside and in addition to the Australian Football Anti-Doping Code which covers prohibited substances including some illicit substances in competition as prescribed by the WADA prohibited list.

Urine tests conducted by doctors to determine if a player has used illicit substances are part of the AFL's Illicit Drug Policy medical model and have been for some time.

Doctors may use those urine tests to obtain an immediate result to determine whether any illicit substance remains in a player's system. This is normally conducted at the club or in the doctors consulting rooms.

If the test shows a substance is still in the players system, a doctor will take steps to prevent a player from taking part in either training and/or an AFL match both for their own health and welfare and because having illicit substances in your system on match day may be deemed performance enhancing and a breach of the Australian Football Anti-Doping Code (depending on the substance involved).

It is absolutely imperative that no doctor or club official should ever allow or encourage a player to take the field knowing they have recently taken an illicit substance that may be harmful to their health and/or may be deemed performance-enhancing (as many illicit substances are on match day).

We support the WADA code (as it applies to our sport through the Australian Football Anti-Doping Code) and support the fundamental premise on which it is founded that any player who takes the field with a performance-enhancing prohibited substance in their system should be treated in accordance with the Anti-Doping Code and face heavy sanctions.

The AFL observes that AFL players are not immune to the societal issues faced by young people with respect to illicit substances and also acknowledges that illicit drug use problems commonly co-occur with other mental health conditions.

While the AFL's medical model involves a multidisciplinary healthcare management plan, the monitoring of players is highly confidential. A doctor or healthcare professional generally cannot disclose the nature of the clinical intervention or condition to others unless the player willingly consents.

We understand that the Illicit Drugs Policy can be improved and we are working with the AFLPA and players to improve the policy and the system to ensure we are better able to change the behaviours of players. But we are unapologetic about club and AFL doctors taking the correct steps to ensure that any player who they believe has an illicit substance in their system does not take part in any AFL match and that doctor patient confidentially is upheld and respected.

The AFL will always be required to make decisions which seek to balance competing rights and interests. The medical interests and welfare of players is a priority for the AFL given everything we know about the risks facing young people generally and those who play our game in particular.
Click to expand...
implausible undeniability[sic] WADA drug code

undeniable implausibility[sic] WADA drug code

#NABauskick $pon$or$
 

Log in to remove this ad.

blackcat said:
implausible undeniability[sic] WADA drug code

undeniable implausibility[sic] WADA drug code

#NABauskick $pon$or$
Click to expand...
Basically, let's throw any player who misses a week or two through a minor injury or mental health issues under the bus of public opinion.

Unintended consequences and all that.
 
Robbo:

The league stressed on Wednesday that off-the-books testing was in line with policy – its policy – because the welfare and wellbeing of players was paramount.

It’s a delicate matter because the AFL’s reasoning that it ‘‘seeks to reduce substance use and drug-related harms for AFL players and aims to inform and rehabilitate players through education and intervention’’ is sound.
The policy is not about ‘’gotchya’’, it’s about “helpya’’, which is the opposite strategy of the World Anti-Doping Agency.
In that regard, there has to be a level of protection for doctor-patient confidentiality.But how much protection?

It’s a question that might confuse fans. The AFL says it has to be absolute. Put it this way, would you like your medical history shared to people? Of course the answer is no.Still, it doesn’t make the policy perfect.

Since the voluntary illicit drugs policy was introduced in 2005 – and the three-strikes policy was struck, and the mental health loophole exposed, and all drugs tests results were not released, and statutory declarations were signed so summer hair testing results were kept mum – the drugs issue in the AFL has been lost down a multitude of rabbit holes.
Now, add off-the-books drug testing to the clandestine approach by the AFL. We are asked to believe so much.
That there’s not a drug culture in the game.
That only a “handful’’ of players have missed games with “injury’’ and that players’ lives and careers have been saved because of the AFL’s policy.

Fans will query everything now, not least when the next player is managed or is a late out.
The mental health card has clouded everything.
Clearly players have serious issues, but also it’s clear that players have used mental health to cover-up their choice to take drugs. That’s not a footy issue; it happens in all walks of life.
Yet, it’s those footy impostors who expose the AFL’s “welfare and wellbeing’’ position.
And there’s enough anecdotal evidence to suggest that it happens more than what the AFL would care to admit.
The secret drugs testing, which was revealed in parliament on Tuesday night, doesn’t pass the pub test. That’s despite the AFL being “unapologetic about club and AFL doctors taking the correct steps to ensure that any player who they believe has an illicit substance in their system does not take part in any AFL match and that doctor patient confidentiality is upheld and respected’’.
Fans hate it when they feel the game they love has been compromised by matters such as betting on matches or drug-taking. And now a drugs cover-up.
Their reaction can’t be ignored by the AFL.
Neither can the clubs. Eddie McGuire and Jeff Kennett were furious in their belief that AFL presidents should be told of drugs indiscretions, mainly because they felt the clubs could offer great resources to the player.
It’s sure to be put back on the agenda by current presidents as the AFL reviews its drugs policy.
Ironically, Tuesday night’s bombshell wouldn’t have dropped if former Melbourne president Glen Bartlett and former doctor Zeeshan Arain were not run out of the club in 2021.
A headache that Melbourne and the AFL hoped would die on the vine has formed into a raging migraine. Don’t be surprised when more bombshells are dropped.
 
Duck Farmer said:
Basically, let's throw any player who misses a week or two through a minor injury or mental health issues under the bus of public opinion.

Unintended consequences and all that.
Click to expand...
you project your judgement like ABC , i maintain a difficult and stressful job and most just doing what needs to be done to get by
 
Thought I'd look at how Michael Warner is reporting this. He had a big crack at the AFL in his The Boys Club book about Essendon drug saga for throwing Essendon under the bus to protect themselves and their brand.

His column on Andrew Wilkie's speech in parliament.


AFL drugs bombshell: MP tells federal parliament of secret illicit drug tests allegedly authorised by league’s top medico​

Federal parliament has been told of secret tests allegedly authorised by the AFL’s top medico to help players evade detection on match day in what one MP claims could be ‘multi-hundred million dollar fraud’.

A former Melbourne Football Club doctor has sensationally admitted to conducting “off the books” illicit drug tests – allegedly authorised by the AFL – to help players evade detection on match days.
The doctor-turned-whistleblower says players who confessed to having taken drugs in the days before AFL games were given secret tests to ensure their systems were clear or were advised to “fake an injury” so they would not risk being tested and suspended for breaches of the World Anti-Doping Agency code.

Federal MP Andrew Wilkie told parliament on Tuesday night he had received a signed statement from former Demons head doctor Zeeshan Arain in which he accused the AFL of facilitating the clandestine drug tests at Dorevitch Pathology in Heidelberg.
Mr Wilkie called on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to intervene in the scandal.

[Albo and Labor this arvo didn't let Wilkie table the documents he had. Albo said he isn't going to get involved and will leave it to Sports Integrity Australia. Andrew Wilkie is married to ( ex Major General) Simone Wilkie who has been an AFL Commissioner since 2015. Might have been an interesting conversation between them the last few days.]

In a stunning address, Mr Wilkie said: “I rise to bring the house’s attention to deeply troubling allegations of egregious misconduct within the AFL provided by former Melbourne Football Club president Glen Bartlett, former Melbourne Football Club doctor Zeeshan Arain and Shaun Smith, father of Melbourne player and now alleged drug trafficker Joel Smith.

[Glen Bartlett was removed from the Melbourne FC presidency in April 2021 because he was pushing to clean up Melbourne's illicit drug problem and rest of Melbourne board wasn't comfortable with his stance - 2 years on Goodwin, Oliver, Smith, leaking by club doctor Zeeshan Arain etc. Pretty sure that's why blackcat wrote above - Bartlett too credulous by half.]

“The allegations include the prevalence of drug abuse and other prohibited behaviour across the AFL, off the books drug-testing of players at Dorevitch Pathology in Heidelberg, facilitated by the former chief medical officer of the AFL Peter Harcourt, the resting of players testing positive in these secret tests, ostensibly on account of injury, wilful inaction by AFL chairman Richard Goyder, and former CEO Gill McLachlan …

“The allegations are credible, detailed and provided in signed statements which have been given to me which clearly identify the sources of the information.

“The allegations are also deeply troubling ... Such appalling behaviour endangers the life, safety and future of players and officials, subverts the official drug testing conducted by Sports Integrity Australia on behalf of the World Anti-Doping Authority and is a fraud on the governments that provide millions of dollars in support to the AFL directly and indirectly through tax-breaks, grants and beneficial capital works, conditional on the AFL being a signatory to and complying with WADA code.
“This is not conjecture, with Dr Arain describing the matter clearly in this signed statement where he states that, and I’ll quote Dr Arain: The off-the-books testing took place at Heidelberg Dorevitch. The former chief health officer of the AFL Peter Harcourt gave me the contact of the guy at Heidelberg who would do the testing.

“Here is what happened as has been described to me (by Dr Arain): The AFL wants the player to play at all costs and so the cover-up begins. “If there are no illegal drugs in the player’s system they are free to play, and if there are drugs in their system the player is often asked to fake an injury.

“They are advised to lie about a condition, while the results of the off-the-book tests are kept secret and are never shared with Sports Integrity Australia or WADA.
“In other words, hundreds of thousands of Australians will watch the game not knowing that the game has been secretly manipulated by the AFL and thousands of Australians will bet on that game not knowing the game has been secretly manipulated by the AFL.

“So next time you hear a player has a hamstring injury, you could be forgiven for wondering what is really going on.
“But as Dr Arain explains, this isn’t just a Melbourne problem, it is an AFL problem, with multiple players coming to Melbourne from other teams with pre-existing cocaine dependencies, more than suggesting that drug testing workarounds are commonplace elsewhere in the AFL.
“The documents in my possession also indicate a shocking unwillingness of senior AFL executives to address drug abuse by players and executives, particularly in relation to cocaine use.
“For instance here are very detailed notes of a telephone meeting between Gill McLachlan, Richard Goyder and Glen Bartlett.”

The AFL has a longstanding contract with Dorevitch Pathology to conduct testing for its controversial out-of-competition illicit drugs code.Match-day drug tests are conducted by SIA officers under the world anti-doping code.
The stunning claims are likely to draw the interest of WADA chiefs, SIA and the Albanese government, which has responsibilities under the global anti-doping code.
.......

On today's statement by Andrew Dillon.


AFL defends drug testing secrecy after bombshell claims revealed in parliament by MP Andrew Wilkie​

The AFL says it is “unapologetic” about secret drug testing and defended players’ rights to keep their medical information private.

The AFL has declared it is “unapologetic” over revelations “off the books” illicit drug tests are being conducted on players to help them evade detection on match day. The league has defended the testing program, saying it is committed to “player wellbeing and welfare”.
In a statement issued at 11.30am, the AFL also defended the secrecy of the regime, saying “doctor-patient confidentiality” must be paramount.
But the statement did not address how the previously undisclosed drug-testing program could operate alongside the so-called “two-strike” illicit drugs policy.
The statement follows bombshell revelations detailed by Federal MP Andrew Wilkie in parliament on Tuesday night where he revealed a former Melbourne Football Club doctor had sensationally admitted to conducting “off the books” tests – allegedly authorised and facilitated by the AFL – to help players evade detection on match days.
The doctor-turned-whistleblower says players who confessed to having taken drugs in the days before AFL games were given secret tests to ensure their systems were clear or were advised to “fake an injury” so they would not risk being tested and suspended for breaches of the World Anti-Doping Agency code.
.......

Surprisingly Warner doesn't make any real comments about the Dillon.
 
Holden Hillbilly said:
Robbo:

The league stressed on Wednesday that off-the-books testing was in line with policy – its policy – because the welfare and wellbeing of players was paramount.

It’s a delicate matter because the AFL’s reasoning that it ‘‘seeks to reduce substance use and drug-related harms for AFL players and aims to inform and rehabilitate players through education and intervention’’ is sound.
The policy is not about ‘’gotchya’’, it’s about “helpya’’, which is the opposite strategy of the World Anti-Doping Agency.
In that regard, there has to be a level of protection for doctor-patient confidentiality.But how much protection?

It’s a question that might confuse fans. The AFL says it has to be absolute. Put it this way, would you like your medical history shared to people? Of course the answer is no.Still, it doesn’t make the policy perfect.

Since the voluntary illicit drugs policy was introduced in 2005 – and the three-strikes policy was struck, and the mental health loophole exposed, and all drugs tests results were not released, and statutory declarations were signed so summer hair testing results were kept mum – the drugs issue in the AFL has been lost down a multitude of rabbit holes.
Now, add off-the-books drug testing to the clandestine approach by the AFL. We are asked to believe so much.
That there’s not a drug culture in the game.
That only a “handful’’ of players have missed games with “injury’’ and that players’ lives and careers have been saved because of the AFL’s policy.

Fans will query everything now, not least when the next player is managed or is a late out.
The mental health card has clouded everything.
Clearly players have serious issues, but also it’s clear that players have used mental health to cover-up their choice to take drugs. That’s not a footy issue; it happens in all walks of life.
Yet, it’s those footy impostors who expose the AFL’s “welfare and wellbeing’’ position.
And there’s enough anecdotal evidence to suggest that it happens more than what the AFL would care to admit.
The secret drugs testing, which was revealed in parliament on Tuesday night, doesn’t pass the pub test. That’s despite the AFL being “unapologetic about club and AFL doctors taking the correct steps to ensure that any player who they believe has an illicit substance in their system does not take part in any AFL match and that doctor patient confidentiality is upheld and respected’’.
Fans hate it when they feel the game they love has been compromised by matters such as betting on matches or drug-taking. And now a drugs cover-up.
Their reaction can’t be ignored by the AFL.
Neither can the clubs. Eddie McGuire and Jeff Kennett were furious in their belief that AFL presidents should be told of drugs indiscretions, mainly because they felt the clubs could offer great resources to the player.
It’s sure to be put back on the agenda by current presidents as the AFL reviews its drugs policy.
Ironically, Tuesday night’s bombshell wouldn’t have dropped if former Melbourne president Glen Bartlett and former doctor Zeeshan Arain were not run out of the club in 2021.
A headache that Melbourne and the AFL hoped would die on the vine has formed into a raging migraine. Don’t be surprised when more bombshells are dropped.
Click to expand...
<`3 Slobbo and <japaneseemoji:Kisstongue>
 
From the 2nd Michael Warner article I linked above.

AFLPA Statement

We note the article in today's Herald Sun and the AFL's statement issued earlier today.

The AFL Players' Association supports the AFL's position on this issue and reiterates that the Illicit Drugs Policy (IDP) is entered into voluntarily by the players on the basis it is a medical model and is focused on identifying, educating, and rehabilitating.

What is often misunderstood on this topic is that the IDP is separate from the AFL Anti-Doping Code, which is overseen by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and focuses on identifying and sanctioning any athletes who may be taking performance enhancing substances.

These are two different policies with completely different objectives.

The AFLPA remains committed to reviewing the IDP in 2024 with the AFL and we are working with experts to ensure it remains best practice.

AFL Doctors Association Statement

The AFL Illicit Drug Policy (IDP) is based on a medical model and provides a structure of supportive care for the player. It specifically is not meant to be punitive and over the years has been based on trust and confidentiality between the player and club doctor.

The club doctors’ prime responsibility is, and always will be, the health and wellbeing of the athlete.

The suggestion that this unique privilege has been somehow manipulated is simply not true. Such comments are disappointing, and represent a distortion of a process aimed at supporting player welfare.

The AFL Doctors Association supports the AFL's Illicit Drugs Policy, which aims to deter use while providing avenues for education and treatment. This approach aligns with our ethos of empathy and support.

We maintain transparent communication with the AFL, ensuring that any substance use concerns are managed with discretion and in accordance with medical ethics, the AFL's guidelines, and WADA's code.

— AFL Doctors Association president Dr Barry Rigby
 

(Log in to remove this ad.)

blackcat said:
anyone on Fairfax or ABC talk to the Sports journo married to Grant Stan she has closest take and good Albert interview
Click to expand...
Who is the Albert, that Tracey Holmes interviewed?
 
dirty2 said:
Going to the doc ect has been common knowledge for years to get around the drug testing.
Click to expand...
Self reporting has been around for years, but the AFL publicly accepting its ok for players to self report, not for the benefit of their health, but their wallet, ie avoid a positive match day test, is a new thing.
 
OneGreatClub said:
Too soon?

www.betootaadvocate.com

Demons Clash With Port In Doubt After Entire Team Afflicted By Random Injuries Following F1 Weekend

WENDELL HUSSEY | Cadet | CONTACT The AFL is dealing with its second crisis in as many days, after some shocking news has broken out of the Melbourne Demons training ground. Sources close to the Demons have revealed that the team’s game against the Port Adelaide Football Club this weekend is in...
www.betootaadvocate.com www.betootaadvocate.com
Click to expand...

All I'm after is a retrospective 12 week suspension of every Melbourne player who has had a one week injury over the previous 18 months.

The AFL do that and I'm happy to overlook them assisting Melbourne to game the system.
 
davesnothere said:
All I'm after is a retrospective 12 week suspension of every Melbourne player who has had a one week injury over the previous 18 months.

The AFL do that and I'm happy to overlook them assisting Melbourne to game the system.
Click to expand...
All I'm after is a retrospective ban on all Melbourne players for the 2021 GF 🏆

Do that and they can assist Melbourne to do whatever for a few years 🙂
 
Ok conspiracy time. You know what they say about conspiracies, if you had to put your money on a conspiracy or a stuff/f@ck up, put your money on a stuff/f@ck up. I don't think this is a stuff/f@ck up.

Since I posted this comment in the Michael Warner article about Andrew Wilkie's speech in parliament this arvo and then saw it on the news tonight - Andrew Wilkie is married to ( ex Major General) Simone Wilkie who has been an AFL Commissioner since 2015. Might have been an interesting conversation between them the last few days - I have been thinking there is no way that Andrew wouldn't have discussed this with Simone, and no way Simone wouldn't have set him straight about how the AFL's illicit drug policy works.

Maybe the AFL has promoted this story getting out, encourage ex Melbourne President Glen Bartlett and doctor to "leak" stuff to Wilkie so that things will blow up, given they have made some serious allegations about Melbourne players. coaches and admin staff and other board members.

When the Joel Smith stuff come out just before the season started, there was a lot of noise that the AFL want's to change its illicit drug policy and maybe leave WADA Code for PEDs. This might be a way to hammer past the AFLPA's any concerns where the players rights aren't as protected as much as they are now.

I then remembered that 3 weeks ago on the first Wednesday Footy Classified of this year McGuire outlined the mess that is the current system, that both the AFL clubs and AFL are looking at changing this, but they are concerned about the AFLPA's and the government's reaction, especially losing government $$$.

No way McGuire makes this sort of editorial on the 6th March without him being well briefed what and how the AFL want to change things. Watch this 3 minute editorial followed by a 3 minute panel discussion.





And tonight on 9 News Melbourne and no doubt again tonight on Footy Classified McGuire will give us more info on how the AFL wants to change things.


 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

RussellEbertHandball
Resource Technology and the AFL
Replies
15
Views
876
raptalia
raptalia
gbear
Mega Thread Port Forum General AFL Thread Part 27
217 218 219 220 221
Replies
6K
Views
113K
Willsy10
Willsy10
Holden Hillbilly
List Mgmt. 2024 AFL Draft
2 3 4
Replies
75
Views
5K
RangaInTeal
RangaInTeal
Buget
  • Locked
Preview Preview and Changes: Round 6 - Port v Collingwood
19 20 21 22 23
Replies
553
Views
17K
GremioPower
GremioPower
GoPorts
  • Locked
Preview Changes and Preview for Gather Round v Essendon
11 12 13 14 15
Replies
351
Views
12K
Doctor Feel
Doctor Feel
GremioPower
Autopsy Boak's 350th and the Need of a "Dekochication" for Port Adelaide
Replies
2
Views
468
GremioPower
GremioPower
Holden Hillbilly
  • Locked
Preview Changes and Preview Round 3 Power v Demons Saturday 7pm at AO
9 10 11 12 13
Replies
303
Views
11K
philthy05
philthy05

Remove this Banner Ad

Back
Top