The Australian Government’s new National Illicit Drugs in Sport Policy aims to take the fight against drugs in sports to a new level. The policy sees the government commit $21 million to conduct a minimum of 6000 illicit drugs tests per year across all major sports.
The policy involves out-of-competition testing of illicit drug use in sport. Minimum standards of sanctions are enforced on three categories of offenders. First time offenders will receive a formal warning and suspended fine while second time offenders will receive a suspension, a fine as well as have their identities publicly disclosed. Third time offenders will face possible lifetime bans.
PFA Executive Chairman, Brendan Schwab stated, “The PFA together with all the members of the Australian Athletes Association (AAA) will carefully examine the policy to ensure that it is compatible with the eight points of the AAA’s policy on illicit drugs.”
“We are pleased that the government has acknowledged the vital role of players’ associations in the implementation of the policy, including in relation to the key areas of testing, education programs and sanctioning.”
“The PFA will continue to work closely with the FFA (Football Federation Australia) for a policy that will have the support of the players, meet the particular requirements of football and help establish football as a leading example for society’s fight against drugs. The development of a suitable policy has been the subject of recent and ongoing discussions between the PFA and the FFA. The PFA has also submitted a comprehensive proposal on out-of-competition testing for illicit drugs to the FFA.”
The Australian Government’s new National Illicit Drugs in Sport Policy aims to take the fight against drugs in sports to a new level. The policy sees the government commit $21 million to conduct a minimum of 6000 illicit drugs tests per year across all major sports.
The AAA also recently released its policy position on illicit drug testing in which it supports the rights of sporting organisations to introduce policies to discourage the use of illicit drugs within their sports. However, the AAA considers a one-size-fit-all policy response to the issue as inappropriate and advocates any policies developed should focus on the athlete welfare perspective. Athletes should be provided with access to education, counselling and rehabilitation before any consequences are implemented, subject to athletes’ civil rights.
Link to the Australian Government’s Illicit Drugs in Sport Policy
Link to the AAA’s Policy Position on Illicit Drugs in Sport
Link to the PFA’s Proposal on the Development of an FFA Policy on Out-of-competition Testing for Illicit Drugs
