One thing the AFL has learned over the past five years of the Illicit Drug policy is that illicit drug use is a very complex issue which often prompts the most simplistic reaction.
We all know that drugs are a community-wide problem and we all know that drugs are bad.
We also know that it takes more than a slogan to combat illicit drug use which is why the AFL introduced a system to test out of competition for illicit drugs and still remains one of only three sports to bother do so.
We have taken up the challenge to try to change behaviour among players and to assist players like Travis Tuck work through issues which is why it is disappointing to read so much ill-informed commentary that the AFL system in some way let Travis down.
Over the past few days we have worked through a really difficult situation and we have done so with one over-riding and guiding principle - the health and welfare of Travis Tuck.
In fact our whole Illicit Drug policy is about helping players - to offer support, counselling and treatment to address issues around illicit drug use. And - such as in the case of Travis Tuck - to provide expert counselling, treatment and support for clinical depression which was diagnosed only when he was seen by his drug addiction clinician.
His treating drug expert, who also diagnosed his depression, has said that without the AFL’s Illicit Drug policy, he has no idea what would have happened to Travis. His illicit drug use was a problem but - according to the same doctor - it wasn’t recreational but a by-product of his clinical depression.
There are some people who think any AFL player who takes drugs should be banned. We don’t. We think they should be helped and supported. It is a far greater benefit to the community to change behaviour than to move it along and make it someone’s else problem.
Maybe it is easier to detail some facts around the AFL Illicit Drug policy.
There are two drug codes for AFL footballers. One is the Anti-Doping code which covers performance enhancing drugs and is based on same WADA code covering elite Australian athletes (football, rugby league, swimming, cycling, athletics etc). If any of these athletes tests positive for illicit drugs on match day, under the WADA code they face a two-year ban
The AFL has a second policy - the Illicit Drug policy - which tests out of competition for illicit drugs. Only three sports (AFL, NRL and cricket) test athletes out of competition for illicit drugs and only the AFL releases the results.
AFL players volunteered to be tested for illicit drugs out of competition. They didn’t have to. They volunteered because statistical testing showed there were some players using drugs and the players wanted to help them change behaviour.
The AFL players only agreed to volunteer for out-of-competition testing based on a medical model of education and confidential counselling and treatment to change behaviour.
In 2005 when the policy began, we conducted 472 tests and recorded 19 failed tests at a rate of 4.03 per cent.
By last year we had tripled the number of tests to 1568 and had 14 failed tests at a rate of just .89 per cent. This was with significantly increased target testing and also the introduction of holiday hair testing which, while not accounting for a failed test, does provide an indication of players using drugs who can then be target tested.
We took advice from some of Australia’s leading drug prevention experts about the most effective manner of dealing with drug use. Their view was that counselling and treatment was the best way to counter it and change behaviour although they agree that there also needs to be a punitive element to ensure compliance, hence a tribunal hearing after three failed tests.
So how did the policy work in the case of Travis Tuck?
Travis had previously failed two tests. After each test the Hawthorn medical officer in conjunction with the AFL Medical officers supervised his treatment and referred him to one of Australia’s leading drug and alcohol addiction physicians.
He diagnosed Travis as not only having issues with illicit drugs but also had clinical depression. He was treated for both, receiving counselling and treatment for illicit drug use and depression.
He was cared for, he was treated, he was counseled and he was supported under the guidance of experts, the Hawthorn doctor and the AFL Medical Commissioner.
As his drug specialist told the tribunal, his drug use wasn’t about partying but was a by-product of his illness with depression. Both were being treated.
There are some people who believed that players testing positive to illicit drugs should be banned or sacked. We don’t. We also know that many people at clubs want to know so they can help. We commend Hawthorn for giving Travis the opportunity to play on in 2011.
But without the confidentiality there is no policy. Players can choose to tell people other than their doctors at their club. Some players have chosen to do so. Many haven’t.
No system is perfect but we know this policy is working. We know that Ben Cousins trying to avoid a drug test in 2007 led to his suspension from the club and eventual addressing of his own illicit drug issues.
We know Travis Tuck has received help and is progressing well in dealing with his issues. And we know both will continue to receive our help and support in dealing with these issues.
