Mr.

Drugs In AFL

For many years the AFL has maintained a relatively drug free environment but however in recent years many drug related issues have come up. Some of these issues are Lawrence Anguin of Carlton was found taking ecstasy in 2004, in 2005 a mass controversy revolved around players taking no dose pills, in 2006 3 players tested positive to illicit drugs however the names were not released and most recently in 2007 Ben cousin's was one of 8 players from the WCE testing positive to illicit drug use.

In the past 4 years 58 players have tested positive to illicit drugs with many players testing positive twice. This gives doubts about the current AFL drugs policy. Which is currently a 3 strikes policy were a player must test positive 3 times to be punished, which is far to lenient for such an elite level of competition and one which is supposed to set examples. This is obviously not working because of the current crisis the AFL finds itself in and the constant issues that keep arising involving drugs in the competition.

In 2005 the AFL said stricter tests would be done on players and those found will be severely punished. But however since 2005 a further 28 players testing positive and again there were many offenders found testing positive twice showing us the AFL has not really followed through with it's threats on stricter punishments. And that they still found themselves constantly facing drug issues in the AFL rather then the issue diminishing like they had intended.

Players have stepped out recently saying they do not believe they are tested enough and the punishments are merely a slap on the wrist for such a serious issue in such a prestigious and elite competition. Melbourne midfielder Brock Mclean said "players are not tested enough nor at the right times and the punishments are merely a warning for 1st time offenders".

It is acceptable to catch a few players here and there as every sporting organization has drug issues