Port to take drug war to new level

Port Adelaide CEO Keith Thomas, left, with new club chairman David Koch. Picture: Simon Cross Source: The Advertiser

PORT Adelaide will seek to re-educate every member of its staff on the use of illicit drugs in a bid to be on the cutting edge in football's war against escalating drug use.

The Power is prepared to go further than the minimum guidelines set by the AFL by including every employee in a program as it aspires to be the healthiest club in the AFL on the back of industry-leading education.

Chief executive Keith Thomas also refused to use the excuse that because society is grappling with a spike of drug use of more than 20 per cent over the past 19 months to two years, football could expect a similar rise.

"As an AFL club, we must aim to set a higher standard than general society in matters such as these," Thomas said.

"We're going to aim to take a harder line on illicit drug use.

"And we're contemplating making this a whole-of-club initiative, so it goes beyond players to all staff and board and that will involve industry-leading education and accountability procedures  ... with a health-first policy.

"That is fundamental to how we want to go about it and consistent with the AFL.

"What we will do now, given that there's so much progress being made on an industry level, is wait until the working party has completed its work, see where the AFL policy lands, then assess that as a club and take it further if we think that's relevant.

"The important part of what we're doing is we're having open discussion through every aspect of our club."

The moves from Port Adelaide come as football shareholders, including all 18 clubs, were rattled by a presentation by Victoria Police at the AFL drug summit at Etihad Stadium on Wednesday.

But a recently retired top-echelon player, having read about the discussions, was not surprised by the epidemic.

The player, who declined to be named, said the rise in drug use in the game was an open secret among players.

He described a culture in which:

A CODE of silence still existed in the locker room. "You don't know but you sort of know the players who are using at your club and hear about others from other clubs," he said.

"I mean, you can't tell me the West Coast players didn't know about Ben Cousins after that family day when he turned up in a pretty bad state."

MOBILE phones were running hot with group messages as soon as the AFL drug testers were spotted at the club, giving a heads-up to those wanting to make a run for it. "There are always going to be tip-offs," he said.

PLAYERS in leadership groups are often the last to find out about a big night out because they are considered part of the coaching group.

THERE is no longer a stigma attached to using illicit drugs, except for heroin. "It's seen as natural, like a beer, and nothing to be ashamed about," he said.

EVERY player coming into the AFL system would be offered illicit drugs when they went out, often while intoxicated by alcohol.

DRUG spiking was still a threat. "I've had a drink and realised, hang on, something's not right with this," he said.

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