AFL CEO Andrew Dillon: Why illicit drugs policy is ‘unashamedly’ based on health and safety model

For months, the AFL has been under fire for its approach towards illicit drugs. In an exclusive column, AFL CEO ANDREW DILLON explains why the league has backed its system in.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 25: AFL CEO Andrew Dillon watches on in the Long Walk during the round 11 AFL match between Richmond Tigers and Essendon Bombers at Melbourne Cricket Ground, on May 25, 2024, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Morgan Hancock/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

Over the past few months, a lot has been said about the AFL’s approach to illicit drugs and the operation of the illicit drug policy.

Unfortunately, a lot of what has been claimed is inaccurate.

Having a debate or discussion about complex societal issues such as illicit drug use is a good thing – particularly when the National Drug Strategy’s Household Survey found that 47 per cent of Australians over the age of 14 have used illicit drugs sometime in their life and AFL footballers are not immune from this national issue.

We take the integrity of our sport extremely seriously. I want to reiterate, that we do not, have not, and will not condone the use of illicit drugs and that is why we have a policy.

AFL CEO Andrew Dillon has defended the league’s illicit drugs policy. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images.

A policy to identify, to educate and to intervene. To try and change behaviours of those players that do make the mistake of trying/using illicit drugs.

The AFL welcomes SIA’s acknowledgment that the AFL is one of the few sports that has an illicit drug policy.

Our AFL policy is unashamedly based on a health and safety model, in line with Government and medical advice. It is a policy that has helped many players that have had a substance problem to change their behaviours and it is a policy that will continue to evolve to deal with a societal issue.

The extent of the problem in our community is why the AFL and the AFLPA have taken a leadership position as have our players in volunteering to be part of an illicit drug response that few other professional and Olympic sports currently undertake.

In relation to the issues raised in parliament earlier this year, the AFL has welcomed yesterday’s assessment that found there was no breach of the WADA code and that SIA found no evidence to suggest players feigned injuries to cover up for positive drug tests. We also welcome WADA’s support of SIA’s conclusion there were no breaches of their code.

We also accept SIA’s assessment that there is room for improvement – both in education of players and staff – and in the operation of the policy itself which is currently under review by the AFL and the AFLPA with a view to updating the policy ahead of the 2025 AFL season.

Given the national interest in this topic, SIA has suggested a roundtable bringing together Australian professional and Olympic sports with Government, medical, law enforcement, integrity and education experts for a discussion on illicit drugs in sport, and the AFL looks forward to being part of that conversation.