The surge in drugs, particularly cocaine, at nightclubs, bars and parties attended by AFL players is at the forefront of the agenda as the AFL and club chief executives prepare to meet on the issue.
"The use of illicit substances has exploded in the Australian community over the past 10 years and in particular in the last 12 months, and so our footballers … are being exposed to this through their peer groups on an unprecedented scale,” League medical commissioner Dr Peter Harcourt told AFL.com.au.
"We already know that the illicit drugs policy is very successful in addressing the issues of illicit substances in the AFL community, but we are always open to refining it."
The three-strike policy treats illicit drug use as a health problem first, and only results in a player facing discipline at the third offence. Clubs have argued they’d like to be aware of the earlier strikes.
No player faced charges for a third strike in 2012, but AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou has forecast there will be an increase in first and second strikes.
“I think we’re going to see a spike this year, but I haven’t got that data yet,” he told Channel 7 on Wednesday night.
Six AFL players tested positive to illicit drugs in 2011.
Club bosses, AFL officials, doctors and the AFL Players' Association will be represented at what’s being officially being dubbed the 'Player Welfare Summit' on January 30.
While there’s agreement that the code must address the issue, Dr Harcourt says the problem is much broader.
"It's fundamentally not our problem. It’s intruding into the AFL because of the fact that it's a problem in the community that's widespread and very challenging," he said.
Dr Harcourt wants the AFL to play a role in leading the way on the issue, but conceded, "there’s no way the AFL’s going to fix it."
"So we have to be nimble and adjust our strategies all the time in order to address this issue," he said.
"That's what the summit will be; it'll be an opportunity to refresh our strategy."
