White line fever

THE AFL has recorded a 400 per cent increase in positive tests for illicit drugs.
Twenty six AFL players tested positive to illicit substances in 2012, a rise from six the previous year.

AFL medical director Dr Peter Harcourt said cocaine was the drug that players most often tested positive for.

Three AFL players are now on their second strike.

These tests are for illegal drugs such as amphetamines, not performance enhancing drugs.

The AFL is today releasing the latest drug testing results and updating fans on the work of the illicit drugs working group, formed after a summit on February 1 prompted by Collingwood president Gary Pert's warning of "volcanic" behaviour by players.

The contentions three-strikes policy is set to remain but clubs will have more freedom to target test their own players.

The AFL carried out more tests in 2012 - 1979 up from 1489 - but the percentage of failure still increased from .4 per cent to 1.31 per cent.

The failed test percentage is the worst since the second year of testing (2006).

AFL CEO Andrew Demetriou and AFLPA boss Matt Finnis both described the results as disappointing.

MORE TO COME

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