AFL reveals new illicit drug policy that Andrew Dillon says is 'most stringent in Australian sport'

All AFL and AFLW players will be hair-tested for drugs twice a year under a revamped policy trumpeted as the toughest in Australian sport.

The AFL and its players' association have an in-principle agreement for the fresh Illicit Drugs Policy (IDP), which ditches the oft-criticised current three strikes model.

"The revised IDP will be the most stringent illicit drugs policy in Australian sport," AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon said, in the presence of AFL players' president Darcy Moore, players' chief executive James Gallagher and AFL operations boss Laura Kane.

"The reality is, illicit drug use is not an issue unique to sport — it is a broader societal challenge and our players are not immune from the issues and pressures that exist in the community.

"It combines mandatory education, universal hair testing, treatment, monitoring and ongoing support across both AFL and AFLW."

The new policy, which features a suspension range of two to four matches for players for public use of illicit drugs, sat above World Anti-Doping Agency performance-enhancing drugs testing protocols.

Under the policy, players who test positive to illicit drugs three or more times will be sent to a panel at a newly formed Joint IDP (Illicit Drugs Policy) committee.

The player's club president, chief executive and football manager will be among those told of the positive tests.

A major change is introducing a fitness of play assessment — a player could still be deemed able to play after three positive tests.

The AFL announced the in-principle changes on Thursday, detailing a stepped process after a positive illicit drugs test.

Initially, players will undergo a behaviour change program possibly including health care interventions.

After a second positive test, players will have an individual management plan including clinical assessments and treatments.

If a player continued to use drugs they would be sent for a fitness of play assessment by an independent panel.

"As a result of a fitness to play assessment, a player is determined to be fit to play, fit to play or train on stipulated terms, or unfit to play or train for a specified period and supported with intensive treatment," the AFL said.

"A player will progress from the framework when they have fully and successfully participated in their management plan."

AFL Players' Association chief James Gallagher said the playing cohort was content with the new policy.

"This revised model protects player welfare, respects appropriate medical confidentiality and gives players access to the support and treatment they need," he said.

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