Pubdate: Thu, 16 Mar 2006
Source: Northern Territory News (Australia)
Copyright: 2006 Northern Territory News
Contact:  http://ntnews.news.com.au/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/283
Author: Grey Morris

LONG CALLS FOR DRUG EDUCATION

TWO-TIME Essendon premiership player Michael Long says an in-depth
education program is the answer to recreational drug use among AFL
players.

Long, one of the Territory's most decorated players in a 190-game
career that included the Norm Smith Medal and two premiership
medallions, was responding to revelations this week that several
indigenous AFL players tested positive to cannabis in 2004 and 2005.

Strict new WADA (World Anti-Doping Council) regulations mean players
who test positive to drugs like marijuana will face the AFL tribunal.

Long said there are programs in place within the AFL Players
Association that dealt.

"Education is the key to this," he said. "Importantly what they're
putting in their body but also in relation to them being role models
to future generations of indigenous players.

"It doesn't matter if the player is an Aborigine or
non-indigenous.

"It would be fair to say that this is occurring in other sports as
well as football and if you look at the general population it would
certainly be a lot higher."

Long said the AFL had taken a big stance on the effects of drugs on
the human body which went hand-in-hand with the AFLPA's on-going
awareness program.

"My advice for any footballer is don't use drugs, it's a no-go area
for sport and we've got to do everything we can to tell everyone
involved in the game this is wrong."

Three-time Brisbane premiership player Darryl White backed Long's
claim indigenous players were only a very small portion of marijuana
users.

"There are 16 players that tested positive which makes it harsh to
come out and only say indigenous players smoke marijuana," he said.

"And I can guarantee all the Aboriginal blokes in the AFL today don't
do it (take drugs).

"Obviously any indigenous player testing positive is a slap in the
face for his community and for the AFL, but it's also important to
note that our people were introduced to it."
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MAP posted-by: Derek