Football players and social drugs

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The controversy of whether or not leagues and clubs should test for social drugs will not go away. We have a major problem in society where certain drugs such as marijuana and ecstasy are seen as being socially acceptable (for occasional use) in many circles. Whilst most people would agree that clubs and leagues should do everything possible to prevent players from being regular users of social drugs, it seems almost accepted that every young person between 18 and 30 will want to 'try' these drugs at some stage for the fun of it. We also expect football players to be risk takers on the field, and it is therefore understandable that they are risk takers off the field.

There is also a connection between drugs and sex, in that the type of girl who would consider a one-night stand with a football player (or multiple players) for the 'fun of it' is probably the same risk-taking type that would experiment with social drugs, with nightclubs being the common meeting point for all of this activity.

To date, the league drug response has focussed on performance-enhancers like anabolic steroids, and most of the budget for drug testing should stay devoted to this area. There isn't any code that has really come down heavy on testing for social drugs, and this would mean turning up at nightclubs for random tests at 4am, for example. It is unknown whether the players would accept this sort of testing, and equally unsure whether this would stamp out drug use or just make examples of the players who were unlucky enough to get caught.

It isn't clear whether anyone has the answers here.

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From Guy Hand at Foxsports (12/4/04):

THE AFL's recreational drugs saga took a new twist today with a leading Perth-based footballer accusing some of his teammates of using illegal party drugs.

The unnamed player told the West Australian newspaper several of Perth's elite AFL players used recreational drugs instead of alcohol so they could party without putting on weight.

He said party drugs, including ecstasy, were easily available and were particularly popular during the AFL off-season when players were not drug-tested.

"Rather than get a belly full of beer, players can take an E (ecstasy tablet) and a bottle of water and still go out and have a good time with their friends," he told the newspaper.

The new allegations come after Carlton player Laurence Angwin was sacked and teammate Karl Norman suspended after they turned up to training under the influence of ecstasy.

The AFL has been criticised by several high-profile football identities for its current drug-testing procedures, which effectively protect players who test positive to recreational drugs out of competition.

The league and clubs are only notified of positive tests to recreational drugs if recorded on a match day.

Those who test positive at any other time do not have their identities revealed to their clubs or the AFL and face no penalty.

But AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou said the anomaly would soon be addressed under a combined initiative from the league and the Australian Sports Drug Agency (ASDA), which conducts the league's drug tests.

"It's not a knee-jerk reaction, it's based on the fact that we've got a year's results now for statistical purposes," Demetriou told Melbourne radio station 3AW.

"Obviously if there are players out there who are experimenting with recreational drugs, (a) they either need some more education, (b) they need help or (c) if they want to run the gauntlet of the rules, then they face the prospect of penalties.

"I suspect in the coming weeks, you'll start to see and hear more on what we're doing on that front."

West Coast Eagles chief executive Trevor Nisbett said he was not aware of any players in the club using recreational drugs.

But a former Melbourne-based AFL player told the West Australian it was well known in the eastern states that certain Eagles and Dockers players used party drugs.

"There was always talk and rumour on the grapevine about Eagles and Dockers players using drugs - everyone knew who they were," the player said.

Police, the AFL and the Eagles launched investigations in 2002 into a claim that two players were caught on tape telephoning a drug dealer for cocaine.

The players involved denied the claims, which were never substantiated. No charges were laid.

Carlton conducted its own tests to catch out Angwin and Norman, with Demetriou congratulating the Blues for their diligence.

"Probably years ago, you might remember Damian Drum (ex-coach) at Fremantle wanted to start conducting tests on his players and we stopped that, because the governing body, the AFL, with ASDA is the only body that can conduct tests," he said.

"In the case of Carlton, I respect what they did because two players arrived at training in an inappropriate state.

"(Carlton) weren't sure what was going on, they called the club doctor in, sat down with the players and couldn't get much sense, as I understand, out of them.

"Then (they) asked the players to consent to a test.

"Given the circumstances, where two individuals arrived at a workplace like that in an inappropriate state, Carlton had every right to do what they did - I congratulate them on it."

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There probably needs to be uniform 'club' testing procedures if players are going to be given penalties, but this is the sort of thing that needs to be negotiated with the AFL players association. If they really want to stamp out ecstasy use etc. they need to be able to do tests at nightclubs and at players' homes, and whether the need to catch the players overrides their right to privacy is a delicate issue.

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From Daily Telegraph:

Drugs watchdog slams league
By Tim Morrissey
May 12, 2004

THE AFL's attitude to players' use of illicit drugs such as cocaine and ecstasy has been slammed as "ludicrous" by the country's top drugs watchdog.

The drug code is sending out the message that it is OK to use illicit drugs as long as it is not on match days, according to Paul Dillon, information manager for the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre.

Even leading AFL players, Richmond's Nathan Brown and Sydney's Brett Kirk, have condemned the league for going soft on illicit drug use.

"What you have got is a group of very high-profile young men who are perceived as role models and basically the AFL is saying, well, if you get caught [using illicit drugs] on some days it's absolutely fine and we are not going to do anything about it," said Dillon.

"But if you are playing, it might be wrecking your game using illicit drugs so we will do something about it. It's just a completely ludicrous situation."

Dillon believes the league's drug code is reinforcing a perception that society's rules and laws don't apply to professional footballers.

The recent controversy surrounding a string of sexual assault allegations, drink-driving charges, suspensions for illicit drug use and drug dealing by AFL players has fuelled this perception.

Under AFL rules, players who test positive to illicit drugs such as cocaine and ecstasy on non-match days do not have their identities revealed and face no penalty.

However, if a player is found with illicit drugs in his system on match day he can be banned for up to 12 matches for the first offence and two years for the second.

The proposed changes to its drug code the AFL is hoping to introduce by the start of next season only penalise repeat offenders.

For first and second offences for testing positive to illicit drugs the player would receive counselling and treatment but he would remain anonymous.

Only if a player receives a third positive will they be named and sanctioned for up to 12 weeks and up to a season for a fourth positive.

Dillon believes the AFL's drug code goes way beyond sending a mixed message on what is considered a criminal act.

"A mixed message would imply the AFL wants to do something about it," said Dillon.

"This [the league's current drug code and the proposed changes] says absolutely they don't. There is no rhyme or reason for this proposal.

"Some of their players are using illicit drugs.

"If you test the players and some have illicit drugs in their systems, they have been part of criminal activity.

"So how can the AFL say 'we are not really going to do anything about that'?

"In our society we have laws whether we like it or not."

Dillon, who has worked extensively with the rugby union players' association and the Australian Institute of Sport, believes athletes have to be taught about having fun in a responsible way.

"The problem is most AFL players are between the age of 20 and 29 and that's the peak age group for experimenting with drugs," said Dillon.

"I don't think the AFL and the NRL educate their players at all well ... it's a very closed shop. It's not transparent. We don't know what they do, we don't know who they get to come in and do their education."

The Daily Telegraph

[dabby]

with this topic i think that all players have to be tested DURING the season. I have to agree with what St Kilda's Nic Riewoldt's comment on the footy show that players shouldnt be test during the off season.

[Grater]

Yep, all players have to be tested during the season. No exceptions!