Govt planning sport illicit drugs policy - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

Govt planning sport illicit drugs policy

04/09/2007 05:48:05 AM Comments (0)

All Australian athletes could undergo testing for illicit drugs on non-competition days within months if the federal government has its way.

Fairfax newspapers reported on Tuesday the government wants to make anti-drug measures in major sports uniform.

The news follows drugs scandals involving AFL and rugby league identities last week.

Sports Minister George Brandis has asked the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority to advise him within two weeks of how to strengthen illicit drugs testing for athletes.

Fairfax believes the cabinet will consider the advice within days of receiving it and draw up a sports anti-doping policy before the election.

The AFL and the NRL are the only two major sporting codes that test for illicit drugs outside competition.

Senator Brandis said the tougher NRL testing regime was "a suitable template" for new rules governing all sports.

Under the NRL's policy, a player gets a suspended fine for a first drugs offence and a fine and suspension for a second infringement.

Following revelations of drug-taking by AFL West Coast Eagles star Ben Cousins earlier this year, Senator Brandis and Minister for Ageing Christopher Pyne attacked the AFL's three-strike policy.

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