To our Carlton Members & supporters,
As the media cycle continues to swirl around the Illicit Drugs Policy (IDP), I thought it was appropriate to clarify the Club’s position on the newly implemented program.
The updated and strengthened IDP that was introduced during the off-season enforces a two-strike policy, affording the Club greater visibility of our players’ behaviour away from the football club.
The best practitioners in the world, along with experts in the field, have created a ‘best practice’ policy to ensure we’re ahead of the game – globally – and we need to give it time to grip.
There is now increased club involvement with the policy ultimately aiming to assist changes in behaviour. If a player doesn’t address this (with our help) then obviously penalties are imposed – and imposed sooner than they were previously.
The broad range of social issues that surround the age demographic of our playing list (as well as the wider community), relates not only to recreational drugs but other serious issues including alcohol and gambling.
And so, our club must ensure we build the right culture, and provide our players with the best education and welfare. This will help ensure they are equipped to make better-informed decisions that affect their footy and indeed, their day-to-day lives.
As professional athletes who are representing our club, we want them to do everything possible to ensure they get the best out of themselves, but we are not naïve to think they are immune to external peer pressures.
It has been reported our view is ‘not needing to know’ information relating to this topic. That is incorrect. We do need to know, so that we can continue (as clubs) to work with the AFL and the AFLPA on what is a seriously complex issue.
In short, Carlton is fully supportive of the AFL’s Illicit Drugs Policy, and believes this tougher, second iteration of the policy needs to be given time before being sensibly evaluated.
Hope to see you at the footy,
Steven
