What other sport could have produced a cousins?

[Xman]

The policy was developed by 20 of the countries leading experts in this field.

Director of drug and alcohol services at St Vincent's Hospital Jon Curie said the policy enabled players to seek help before developing a dangerous addiction.

"To have just 14 out of the whole roster of AFL players is a very good result," he told afl.com.au.

"The results are very pleasing and they show the policy is very useful in essentially bringing medical treatment to the players, while bringing recognition that drug use won't be tolerated.

"It shows drug use is watched and monitored, because if players give a positive test they are under very careful scrutiny with the target testing and are given the ability to seek help early on.

"It's sending a message to the public that it is something dangerous and not acceptable but it is something that can be reduced.

"What we're hoping for is further strengthening of the educating and treatment policies so the numbers can still drop further."

The National Drug Research Institute (NDRI) said it was important for the AFL to maintain the transparent approach to testing and rehabilitation.

"The AFL's focus on supporting players and a harm minimisation approach to its alcohol and illicit drug program is in line with what works to help prevent the harm caused by alcohol and other drugs," NDRI Director Professor Steve Allsop said.

"It should be supported for adopting an approach that is multifaceted, has the support of players and management and is transparent and universal.

"All of these are key ingredients in effective responses to alcohol and other drug problems in any workplace.

"The AFL's focus on player welfare, education and rehabilitation is an effective way to prevent young men from using alcohol or other drugs in a harmful way and in helping those that get into difficulty."

Allsop also said the initiative to send players to drug and alcohol specialists after their first failed test was an important aspect of the policy.

The Alcohol and other Drugs Council of Australia (ADCA) also supported the campaign's continuation and congratulated the league on the falling number of positive tests.

"The AFL players and clubs are also to be commended for working together to reduce the prevalence of illicit drugs within the AFL community," ADCA CEO David Templeman said.

"It is encouraging to note that the AFL Players' Association acknowledges the importance of harm minimisation."
Exclusive to AFL BigPond Network

[milznjim]

Addiction doesn't care if the media knows who it is affecting, so please present one piece of evidence that would support your claim that victims would be better treated for addiction if the entire nation knew!

[King-Eliagh]

Not talking about addiction milznjim. You have quite the knack for incorrectly interpreting the conversation dont you milznjim? Talking about being accountable for ones actions. And my evidence is present within all humankind and all societies. If we are not properly held accountable for our actions within society then anarchy reigns. Law is based on this principle. The AFL has received much criticism for its mollycoddling of drug users and hopefully the whole cousins saga will allow the head honchos down at AFL HQ to pull their fingers out of their asses and instil a policy which is more reflective of the NRLs.

[milznjim]

Not talking about addiction milznjim. You have quite the knack for incorrectly interpreting the conversation dont you milznjim? Talking about being accountable for ones actions. And my evidence is present within all humankind and all societies. If we are not properly held accountable for our actions within society then anarchy reigns. Law is based on this principle. The AFL has received much criticism for its mollycoddling of drug users and hopefully the whole cousins saga will allow the head honchos down at AFL HQ to pull their fingers out of their asses and instil a policy which is more reflective of the NRLs.

Mate, how was he not held accountable? maybe you have spent your life wrapped in cotton wool, but he is an addict, your carrying on like he had his own meth lab under subiaco. And I didnt misinterpret your post at all, just seing humankinds point of view which is that cousins has a disease were as you want him tared and feathered for the criminal elmemts to his story. Unless you have seen the effects of addiction on people you know and love then frankly you cant comment. They need help not public ridducle from ill informed swine such as yourself

[Xman]

Not talking about addiction milznjim. You have quite the knack for incorrectly interpreting the conversation dont you milznjim? Talking about being accountable for ones actions. And my evidence is present within all humankind and all societies. If we are not properly held accountable for our actions within society then anarchy reigns. Law is based on this principle. The AFL has received much criticism for its mollycoddling of drug users and hopefully the whole cousins saga will allow the head honchos down at AFL HQ to pull their fingers out of their asses and instil a policy which is more reflective of the NRLs.

Much criticism from three main groups: sections of the media A few politicians WADA

Two are laughable because they don't understand this complex area beyond simple punishment (like you), and WADA because their policy was originally ignore but is now incorporated.

It has had significant support from sections of the media, the medical field, drug use prevention field, and has been adopted by other sports, including the NRL.

[King-Eliagh]

Xman there's a reason for the criticism and you choose not to get it. All men must be accountable for their actions. You're confusing policy with rehab. Sure supportive actions should be in place but at the heart of the policy must lie accountability. Again Xman, you're a confused puppy. There there...there there ol boy.

[Xman]

Xman there's a reason for the criticism and you choose not to get it. All men must be accountable for their actions. You're confusing policy with rehab. Sure supportive actions should be in place but at the heart of the policy must lie accountability. Again Xman, you're a confused puppy. There there...there there ol boy.

The reason there is confusion by non experts over this policy is they don't understand the overall concept of using focused education and support instead of punitive measures as the first treatment measure. It doesn't mean they are right. I support evidence, not misconception, and that's what the policy is based on.

[King-Eliagh]

You are such a big softy always talking about "treatment". Treatment is only one aspect of a drugs policy Xman. And there is evidence in all societies since the dawn of mankind that the way things work is making the perpetrator accountable for their actions. This must be done. Again sure give them their treatment but if one isnt made accountable for their actions then the likelihood of recurrent infringements is massive. The knowledge of the human race is clear as day on this one. Only Xman and the AFL cant see it. "Treatment" they yell, "they need good treatment". So does martin bryant but first and foremost he's gotta be made an example of so 1. He wont/cant do it again and 2. He is made accountable for his action sending a clear message to the rest of society that this is not on.

This is the tried and true policy of human societies over thousands of generations Xman. There's your evidence.

[Xman]

You are such a big softy always talking about "treatment". Treatment is only one aspect of a drugs policy Xman. And there is evidence in all societies since the dawn of mankind that the way things work is making the perpetrator accountable for their actions. This must be done. Again sure give them their treatment but if one isnt made accountable for their actions then the likelihood of recurrent infringements is massive. The knowledge of the human race is clear as day on this one. Only Xman and the AFL cant see it. "Treatment" they yell, "they need good treatment". So does martin bryant but first and foremost he's gotta be made an example of so 1. He wont/cant do it again and 2. He is made accountable for his action sending a clear message to the rest of society that this is not on.

This is the tried and true policy of human societies over thousands of generations Xman. There's your evidence.

Intersting that in the news this week the decrimininalisation of recreational drugs has been discussed as a solution for thencurrent drugs problem in society. Why? Punitive measures are failing!

This is why the AFL, and other codes, have now adopted this new policy which deliberately steps away from punitive measures. If it wasn't better it would be failing and other codes wouldn't follow. The results have shown it is clearly a great success and other codes are following.

[King-Eliagh]

The debate on the decriminalisation of recreational drugs refers to drugs considered 'soft' such as marijuana. If the AFL followed this approach, i.e. not making players accountable to the public who pay good money to support their profession, that would be fine but they dont. There's appears to be a blanket approach which allows users of 'hard' drugs to be given special treatment and not be made accountable for their decisions.

[Xman]

The debate on the decriminalisation of recreational drugs refers to drugs considered 'soft' such as marijuana. If the AFL followed this approach, i.e. not making players accountable to the public who pay good money to support their profession, that would be fine but they dont. There's appears to be a blanket approach which allows users of 'hard' drugs to be given special treatment and not be made accountable for their decisions.

Whether the drug is hard or soft, punitive measures aren't working. Everyone would agree with that.

The AFL players are certainly given special treatment. Unlike every other member of the community they are tested during work hours, in their own time, and even in their vacation time. This is designed to highlight any behavioral issues before the develop into habits. Once they are known to the AFL and club medical staff they are educated and closely monitored through more regular testing. If the behaviour continues the education and monitoring increases. If it still persists they are dealt with using fines and bans.

This is a far more comprehensive illicit drug regime than experienced by any member of the community, and so far the results have shown it is working, unlike the general publics results with punitive measures only.

[King-Eliagh]

I'd like to see the results showing it is working. However as i said i dont think there's a problem with providing treatment as long as these players are held accountable. 2 chances and then fines and bans seems too lenient though and doesnt tell us whether these players are then named and shamed... If one is given too many chances there is more chance that the player will develop stronger habits in the mean time, and learn how to get 'through' the system and not get caught. Furthermore players are already given 'education' re drug use prior to their playing and when they arrive at a club. Why treat them like dumbfukks? They know the deal.

[Xman]

I'd like to see the results showing it is working. However as i said i dont think there's a problem with providing treatment as long as these players are held accountable. 2 chances and then fines and bans seems too lenient though and doesnt tell us whether these players are then named and shamed... If one is given too many chances there is more chance that the player will develop stronger habits in the mean time, and learn how to get 'through' the system and not get caught. Furthermore players are already given 'education' re drug use prior to their playing and when they arrive at a club. Why treat them like dumbfukks? They know the deal.

The league and its players believe the illicit drugs policy has been a success. The percentage of positive tests has decreased every year since 2005, from 4.03 per cent to 0.36 per cent last year. In 2010, only six players failed illicit drug tests, down from 14 in 2009.

Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/h ... z1r4LDMR4h

The major part of the policy is extensive testing to identify players at risk, and then supporting and educating them about why this is a poor life decision. However, it doesn't stop there. They are then targeted using a far more stringent testing regime so if they continue to use they WILL be caught. The consequences escalate quickly until a ban and fine are enforced.

The reason I agree with this policy is because when they get caught the first time it's a shock which turns most players around. A second strike shows them that they are now under the microscope and will not get away with this behaviour unnoticed. It also highlights to the AFL that this player needs more intensive treatment and scrutiny, and for all but 1 player this again has been enough to turn their life around for the better! The only player who has struck out 3 times had a coexisting depressive illness which neither punitive or supportive policies would not have worked.

The NRL use a similar policy which skips one strike, but the concept is identical. The biggest difference is that they do not release any results about the tests performed or results, so who knows if they are testing correctly and if the first strike numbers are reducing like the AFLs have.

A purely punitive policy would see the player banned for years after one strike. To say this is enough or a deterrent for players to never consider using illicit drugs is naive in the extreme. Players believe they will get away with it. Unfortunately an instant ban from a players employment and life long dream will not necessarily change their life style. In fact it could lead them into a depressing situation with no support, an increase in media scrutiny and shame, and potentially a more entrenched drug habit.

[King-Eliagh]

Interesting Xman you may have finally made a point. Although its something i was agreeing with before you made it i.e. that treatment is fine as long as there is accountability. I still think the AFL gives too many chances though and mollycoddles their players too much in this. Players come through the edu system and are given an induction on these things when they turn pro. That's two sets of edu already there.

[Xman]

Interesting Xman you may have finally made a point. Although its something i was agreeing with before you made it i.e. that treatment is fine as long as there is accountability. I still think the AFL gives too many chances though and mollycoddles their players too much in this. Players come through the edu system and are given an induction on these things when they turn pro. That's two sets of edu already there.

Your opinion is noted. However, results speak for themselves.