26
up from just 6 in 2011
wow
the softest most ineffective drug policy in world sport is certainly doing its job aint it fumblers??
when will you dipshits wake up to the fact your sport is a drug infested... racist ... pedo haven of a bumbling mess
a national embarrassment is the VFL
http://www.smh.com.au/AFL/AFL-news/posi ... 2jntd.html
The AFL Players’ Association has made concessions in its voluntary illicit-drug test agreement with the AFL as a result of the proportion of failed tests more than tripling last year.
The AFL and AFLPA jointly announced on Thursday morning that there had been 26 failed tests by players last year – equal to the total number of failed tests over the preceding three years. While the number of tests increased by almost 500 between 2011 and 2012 the proportion of failed tests increased significantly, from 0.4 per cent in 2011 to 1.31 per cent in 2012. The latter result was the highest proportion of failed tests since 2006, the second year the system was operating.
AFL CEO Andrew Demetriou said he was disappointed by the results, but pointed out that the league now has 100 more players competing than in 2005, when tests began, with 19 players testing positive from a total of 472 tests.
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He said there were also more tests, and target tests, so "we're able to identify more players we can help".
"The rise in detections in 2012 reflects both an increase in the number and effectiveness of target tests conducted as well as the well-documented jump in illicit drug availability and use in the broader community," Demetriou said.
He said Ambulance Victoria figures showed a doubling of call-outs for crystal methamphetamine incidents in the past year, and AFL players, being mostly in the high-risk 18-30-year age group, were not immune to peer group pressure to take such drugs, and poor decision making.
"However, the use of illicit drugs in the AFL playing group remains substantially lower compared with the same group of males in the wider community," Demetriou said.
AFLPA chief Matt Finnis says he is concerned about the "normalcy" of some AFL players' attitude to illicit drugs compared to previous years.
"Today's results are a reminder that illicit drugs are a problem across society, and that football cannot afford to be complacent.
"However the current testing regime allows us to determine which players have issues with misuse of drugs and get them into appropriate treatment programs, supported by their club's doctor."
Finnis said the AFLPA was not prepared to compromise on the issue of player's confidentiality throughout the process.
AFL medical director Dr Peter Harcourt said the trend was towards players taking a more lax or defiant attitude to illicit-drug consumption. He said cocaine was the "standout" drug, with stimulants such as it account for 25 of the 26 failed tests in 2012.
He sais drug and medical experts strongly endorsed the AFL illicit drugs policy and its focus on intervention and treatement.
"Our experience is that the use of illicit drugs by most players is opportunistic and almost always related to external peer group use in social circumstances away from the football club, and often preceded by excessive drinking," Dr Harcourt said.
The 26 failed tests last year resulted in two players progressing to their second strike, leaving three players overall on two strikes. If a player reaches a third strike their identity is disclosed as part of their punishment.
Both the AFL and AFLPA said the results needed to be considered as part of the increasing prevalence of illicit drugs in society, especially among males aged between 20 and 30.
A key change in the policy is the restriction on players being able to self-report instances of illicit-drug use, after which they are counselled but avoid recording a strike. Players will now be only able to do so once in their career.
The contentious rule that the only official at a club to be informed of positive tests among their players is the team doctor, has also been been tweaked. Players deemed by the AFL’s medical team to be completely disregarding all counselling they receive and not changing their behaviour will be given a final warning. Should that behaviour continue their identity will be disclosed to their club’s chief executive.
Clubs will also, as forecast by Fairfax Media on Wednesday night, be given detailed regular reports of test results involving their players, with only player identities undisclosed. Clubs will be given the power to officially request the AFL target-test specific players they suspect is involved in illicit-drug use.
About a quarter of all testing carried out under the system is targeted rather than random, although that proportion will increase under the revised system.
More players will also be subject to hair testing during their annual break. Players who fail these tests avoid a strike but are invariably subject to target-testing as a result.
All of the proposed reforms agreed to by the AFL and the AFLPA, with input from AFL clubs, will have to be approved by the AFL Commission before they are implemented.
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/AFL/AFL-news/posi ... z2TQSELcuI
