The Australian Football League will "embark on an in-depth review" of its "contentious" illicit drug policy, with clubs and players having "significant input" into how the drug testing, treatment and punishment system operates, according to Jake Niall of THE AGE. Mental health -- and the way it overlaps with drug use -- is "expected to be a major focus of the AFL's review," which will be led by AFL GM of Football Operations Steve Hocking, who will "canvass the views of the clubs," some of which "want more information about the drug-taking at their workplace." The AFL's drugs policy is expected to remain in its current "two strike'' from for the '19 season, and any changes arising from the review would be introduced for the '20 season. The review is "not likely to be dealt with by Hocking's competition committee, which had major input into changing the rules of the game last year." There is "certain to be a push" from clubs to have more information about drug test results made available. The club doctor is the only person at a club with full knowledge of positive urine tests of "detections," and of the precise nature of the hair test results (THE AGE, 2/21).
