Carlton a 'drug-free zone'

Jarrad Waite is confident no Carlton players are taking illegal drugs. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

CARLTON forward Jarrad Waite is adamant the club is drug-free and says he would welcome daily testing to prove it.

Waite backed the AFL's three-strike drug policy but expected the league and AFLPA to closely scrutinise the self-reporting loophole at tomorrow's drugs summit.

The Herald Sun today revealed four Collingwood players allegedly dodged strikes by volunteering drug-use to club doctors.

Waite insisted Visy Park was a drug-free zone and said any player "stupid" enough to take drugs was jeopardising their football career.

"I don't see any of it. I wouldn't mind if I got tested every day of the week, because I don't do it," Waite said on a day out with Lygon St locals.

"If they want to do more tests, that's good because I've got full confidence, especially at Carlton, that we don't have a drug culture here.

"I would be very surprised if professional athletes were putting their careers at risk by doing drugs and doing stupid things like that.

"Personally, if I got tested every day, it would annoy me, but it wouldn't bother me because I don't do drugs."

There is a strong push to reduce the AFL's strikes policy from three to two but Waite said the AFL's current illicit drugs policy was a world-leader.

"I think our system is very good. The players chose to have this system in place, and it's the best drugs system in the world," he said.

"There is a lot of sports out there that don't get drug tested in the off-season.

"As a playing group we decided as a whole to be tested in the off-season to prove to the people that we are not a drug cultured sport.

"But at the end of the day we are happy with the way it's been. If it changes we are fully supporting the AFL and the PA (players' association)."

Players accept more off-season drug tests

Waite said the self-reporting loophole would likely undergo close review.

"If there is any little loopholes, I'm sure having the summit tomorrow, if they think it is a big enough issue it will be changed," he said.

"It is up to the AFLPA and the AFL to see if they want to make any changes to the system and I'm sure tomorrow there will be an outcome about that."

Waite said any player using drugs was taking a big risk.

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"If you want to risk your AFL career go ahead do it every weekend, but it's not something I would ever do and I would be very upset if our players were out there every weekend getting on the drugs because alcohol is bad enough.

"But mixing drugs your senses are a bit all over the joint. You wouldn't risk it."

Carlton players and coaching staff mixed with locals and local businesses on a walk down Lygon St today.
 

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