THE AFL has revealed there are now four players on two strikes as part of the Illicit Drugs Policy after the League ramped up its out-of-competition testing in 2013.
 
After a record 26 failed drug tests in 2012, the AFL increased its testing program but caught just 15 players from 1,998 tests. 
 
All 15 positive tests were for stimulants and a result of out-of-competition testing, with no positive match-day results.
 
One player returned a second positive test in 2013, down from two in 2012, with four players now on their last chance. No player recorded a third strike.
 
Any player who fails a test for the third time is fined $5000 and suspended for up to 18 matches but will continue to receive treatment and counseling.

A strike is removed from a player's record after four years. Players can also self-report illicit drug use and avoid a strike, but there had been less than 15 such cases in 2013.
 
The League and AFL Players Association said the Illicit Drugs Policy continued to be effective in identifying players for treatment and monitoring.
 
"The detections last year mean that 15 players have been subject to early intervention in the form of expert counselling, treatment and ongoing monitoring," football operations manager Mark Evans said.
 
"Illicit drug use is a significant issue across the broader community and the AFL playing group largely falls within the high risk 18-30 male age group.
 
"Under this policy they have ready access to expert support and treatment to overcome the potential health impacts.
 
"Significantly, our advice is that the rate of illicit drug use within the AFL playing group remains substantially lower compared with the same age group of young men in the wider community."

The AFL Illicit Drugs Policy runs alongside the Anti-Doping Code, which is overseen by ASADA and primarily targets performance enhancing drugs through match-day testing.
 
All players agreed to additional testing through the AFL Players' Association and the AFL remains the only sport in Australia to publicly release its testing figures for illicit drugs.
 
Players who test positive are managed by the AFL medical directors for their first two detections, with input from the relevant club doctor and an external drug expert.
 
A third positive test results in referral to the AFL's general counsel.
 
AFL medical director, Dr Peter Harcourt, said the four players on two strikes were now subject to intense target testing as part of their treatment programs.

He said there had been more target testing during the bye rounds when players often return to their home states   
 
"A number of AFL clubs continue to assist the AFL medical directors to identify and target test ‘at risk’ individuals at their clubs," he said. 
 
"Players are also identified for target testing through hair testing during the high-risk off-season.
 
"Most players detected in 2013 reported they accessed illicit substances opportunistically while socialising with friendship groups outside their clubs and the wider AFL community, and almost always after significant alcohol consumption."
 
The  Illicit Drugs Policy has been in place since 2005. Under changes introduced for 2013, players are permitted to self-report only once through their career, and clubs can request certain players be target tested.

AFL ILLICIT DRUG POLICY RESULTS – YEAR BY YEAR

YearTotal TestsTotal Failed 2nd Failed3rd FailedFailed Tests %
200547219304.03
20064869001.85
2007115214301.2
2008122012200.98
2009156814200.89
201016546110.36
201114896000.40
2012197926201.31
2013199815100.75

 

The breakdown by type is as follows:

 200520062007200820092010201120122013
Cannabinoids604311000
Stimulants12810813562515
Mixed110100010