[420 Girl]

Australia - A radical revamp of the drug testing procedures in the AFL will see hair samples taken from players, out of competition tests for every player and suspended fines for first time offenders - but the three-strike policy will remain.

Under a series of changes to the AFL's illicit drugs policy, drawn up in conjunction with the AFL Players Association, the league has announced player's hair samples will be tested.

Other changes will include sanctions applying the first and second time a player fails an out of competition illicit drug test.

And players who have failed a drug test and are traded or drafted, will have their results disclosed to the new club's medical officer of the failed test(s) - while club CEOs will also be formally informed of multiple failed tests at their club, but not the identity of the player involved.

According to the AFL, hair testing will allow players to be tested when they return from holidays and provides a record of any drug use for up to three months prior to the sample being taken.

Chief executive Andrew Demetriou said the use of hair samples was a first in Australian sport, and was confident the changes would enhance the AFL's stance on drug use.

"It is important to understand that the AFL has two drug policies - the AFL's 1990 anti-doping code which tests for performance enhancing drugs 365 days a year, and is the same as all other sports in Australia, and the AFL's illicit drugs policy which was introduced in 2005," Demetriou said.

"Our illicit drugs policy is above and beyond the WADA policy and is about testing players out of competition for illicit drugs that are harmful to their physical and mental health.

"Our policy is backed by Australia's leading drug and medical experts. We are determined to have a policy that works - that actually leads to behaviour change and education and the evidence shows that our policy is working. We refuse to have a policy that is 'name and shame' and which benefits no-one,"

A fine of $5000 applies to the first failed test and a six -week suspension will apply on the second, although both sanctions will be suspended and activated on the third failed test - which could bring a suspension up to a maximum of 18 weeks.

Testing will be increased, with up to 1500 illicit drug tests to be conducted over a 12-month period, while every AFL player will be tested out of competition for illicit drugs at least once a year.

Greater target testing of players returning to the club out of season will also take place from the end of 2008.

The suspension for a failed third test for marijuana has been increased to a maximum of 12 weeks in line with the other illicit drugs.

AFLPA president Joel Bowden backed the refinements to the system, which he said were an important part of the association's commitment to the well-being of its members.

"The steps we have taken as players are driven by a genuine concern for health and welfare of players, but given our high profile position we also see an opportunity to send a strong message to the community that using illicit drugs is incredibly dangerous," Bowden said.

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