Have a look at the health system it's costing taxpayers millions upon millions every year because of a drug culture.

Drug problems hardly cause the biggest burden on the health system, unless you're referring to cigarettes/alcohol.

The biggest health burden is people living too long these days as told to me by my wife who works in the aged care field. Life expectancy is reaching an average of over 90 years for most of us. The biggest burden is medical attention that is keeping people living that long and makes the health industry rich. Even the healthiest will have at least 20 years of ever increasing medical needs once passing 70. At least smokers and drinkers pay their way with taxes.

Drug problems hardly cause the biggest burden on the health system, unless you're referring to cigarettes/alcohol.

...but they do cause a huge burden on law enforcement and the corrections system.

...but they do cause a huge burden on law enforcement and the corrections system.

Agreed, but it's also arguable that this is due to an unnecessary & largely useless 'war on drugs'.

Probably no need to get into that now though, this is about the Suns/AFL.

But the drugs are only part of the issue at Gold Coast.

The God Squad have created an atmosphere where the "normal" crowd get on the [censored] & shovel coke up their noses.

The alternative is to be a Jesus freak.

At the end of the day, it's human nature to want to belong, but they've found a way to make the clean-living option the undesirable choice.

It is ridiculous to suggest that no middle ground exists and that you're either a party boy or a god botherer. I suspect that in the AFL as in general society, most people are neither extreme. I think your point is an unfounded assumption based on a personal bias.

I suspect that strong leaders of any club who demand the best from themselves physically would frown upon party boy teammates irrespective of religious beliefs or lack thereof. It may be the case that Ablett and co. frown upon the actions of their teammates but, just maybe, this is in their capacity as professional athletes who are disappointed that their teammates aren't quite so professional in their approach and are letting the team down.

I admit to being a dinosaur but these players are professional athletes being paid big bucks to play the game they love.

It seems to me that by accepting the rewards they are committing themselves to get the most out of their bodies and drug and alcohol abuse is incompatible with this.

I think therefore the AFL and Clubs have the right to demand higher standards from the playing group than enjoyed by other sectors of the community eg the unemployed and socially disadvantaged.

A lot of the drug use is symptomatic of the spoiled brat syndrome and an unhealthy sense of entitlement.

If they want the party lifestyle they can bugger off and let a some of the many kids who would do anything to have the same opportunity a chance.

I had mate who worked for an AFL club, he said on a Monday morning their would be a que of players outside the doctors room, they'd walk in and say I had drug "Y" on the weekend, the doc would then give them something to mask it if they happened to be tested... The system is a joke. Another friend of my just only 3 weeks ago, was in the presence of a young up and coming star of the game taking cocaine on the back of their sides bye... It's not just the Gold Coast, they've just been the ones to be caught out.

I had mate who worked for an AFL club, he said on a Monday morning their would be a que of players outside the doctors room, they'd walk in and say I had drug "Y" on the weekend, the doc would then give them something to mask it if they happened to be tested... The system is a joke. Another friend of my just only 3 weeks ago, was in the presence of a young up and coming star of the game taking cocaine on the back of their sides bye... It's not just the Gold Coast, they've just been the ones to be caught out.

Regardless if the above is true or not (not saying it isn't JV), the issue is that it is an accepted practice within the AFL. They are encouraging illegal habits under the current policy.

It is ridiculous to suggest that no middle ground exists and that you're either a party boy or a god botherer. I suspect that in the AFL as in general society, most people are neither extreme. I think your point is an unfounded assumption based on a personal bias.

I suspect that strong leaders of any club who demand the best from themselves physically would frown upon party boy teammates irrespective of religious beliefs or lack thereof. It may be the case that Ablett and co. frown upon the actions of their teammates but, just maybe, this is in their capacity as professional athletes who are disappointed that their teammates aren't quite so professional in their approach and are letting the team down.

Yeah, it is ridiculous to suggest that its all 'black or white'. It's god or the crack pipe. I reject that notion completely.

Ablett Jr would've seen more than 90% of footballers, he wouldn't be the type of guy to divide a club over a drug issue - nor ostracise a teammate over drug issue.

I mentioned on here last year that Bennell is no clean skin, if anything, I'd have my money on Bennell leading them all astray.

I had mate who worked for an AFL club, he said on a Monday morning their would be a que of players outside the doctors room, they'd walk in and say I had drug "Y" on the weekend, the doc would then give them something to mask it if they happened to be tested... The system is a joke. Another friend of my just only 3 weeks ago, was in the presence of a young up and coming star of the game taking cocaine on the back of their sides bye... It's not just the Gold Coast, they've just been the ones to be caught out.

Yep this is a Gold Coast party club

Bankrolled by the AFL (our money) I bet there is an unlimited budget from within the club (transport, Cab Charge...food...) so that these players don't have to spend their wage.

to keep them happy at the club...

It is a disgrace the whole thing.

Just like Meth Coke in the West with Benny and his pals flat lining or doing a Mannering & actually over dosing in massive pain....

Buit there is no Drug problem says the AFL...3 Strikes

AFL is far too strict which leads to people breaking out (IMO).

its got to the point where you can't even have one drink (but you'd be OK to drive a car). something has to give for these young men and right now the easiest way to break loose/blow off steam is to take drugs as they are covered by the "integrity" unit. so drinking is down and illicit drug us it up! nice one!

when they start treating players like adults they might start behaving like them

AFL is far too strict which leads to people breaking out (IMO).

its got to the point where you can't even have one drink (but you'd be OK to drive a car). something has to give for these young men and right now the easiest way to break loose/blow off steam is to take drugs as they are covered by the "integrity" unit. so drinking is down and illicit drug us it up! nice one!

when they start treating players like adults they might start behaving like them

Imagine the uproar and pontificating if a player was photographed with a cigarette and shamed on the back page of the HUN or AGE

I'm sure it was probably just wizz fizz guys, chillax.

I'm sure it was probably just wizz fizz guys, chillax.

Hahaha! I actually had a Wizz Fizz a couple of months ago....They do give a rush

No wonder we ran around in circles in the 60's & 70's....

"Look at the kiddies..."

Imagine the uproar and pontificating if a player was photographed with a cigarette and shamed on the back page of the HUN or AGE

or a government minister

AFL is far too strict which leads to people breaking out (IMO).

its got to the point where you can't even have one drink (but you'd be OK to drive a car). something has to give for these young men and right now the easiest way to break loose/blow off steam is to take drugs as they are covered by the "integrity" unit. so drinking is down and illicit drug us it up! nice one!

when they start treating players like adults they might start behaving like them

Oh yes that works soooooo welllll.....treating people like adults! What does that mean? Let's all just take up using ice, crack a few heads run riot and generally do WTF we want to the detriment of society.....

What a I think is hilarious is dope heads take pictures of themselves using drugs then complain it gets in the papers.....cameras were banned when we had fun out and about. Idiots now don't get consequences

or a government minister

Then that will on the front page.

AFL is far too strict which leads to people breaking out (IMO).

its got to the point where you can't even have one drink (but you'd be OK to drive a car). something has to give for these young men and right now the easiest way to break loose/blow off steam is to take drugs as they are covered by the "integrity" unit. so drinking is down and illicit drug us it up! nice one!

when they start treating players like adults they might start behaving like them

On the contrary I think it is the lack of consequences that is part of the problem.

Can't cop this " let the boys blow of steam in any way they like " attitude

I'm generally pretty tolerant about drug use, but when people's drug use threatens the integrity of my entertainment, I have to draw the line.

Well it must be common knowledge by now just how the two Pies players ended up getting clenbuterol in their system.

What do you expect from them when their senior players like Swan have Saturday night escapades basically laughed off by the boys club?

Wasn't talking about Collingwood...

I would have thought Speed which apparently is what Bennell was snorting could be classified as performance enhancing and as such should have the same consequences as taking other performance enhancers.

Seems unjust that someone like Saad gets 2 years for a relatively minor indiscretion and Bennell is likely to face only a wrist slap, if anything.

There needs to be a major rethink by the AFL before the competition implodes.

I'm glad nobody on the footy show uses drugs.

Channel 7 must be clean too

of course the herald scum staff are pure as the driven snow

The Age and all the AFL staff too.

I'm so pleased there is plenty of solid citizens cleaning out the scourge of illicit drug use!!!

Apparently 12 GCS players were named by Hunt.

The HS have 'coincidentally' found 'incriminating', 2 yr old photos in their archives of one player.

Thereby implicating the player as one of the 12.

This is a very shallow and transparent way of getting around the AFL request for player confidentiality.

They have set this young man up to be pilloried, humiliated and to be the fall guy.

I wounder what else the HS have in their archives on AFL players and why they chose Harley for special exposure?

Yes, he is talented, controversial and one of their best known players so makes good headlines.

But the cynic in me wonders whether they would do this if he was not an indigenous player.

Harley deserves the same protection as other players. Shame on the HS for 'exposing' him or any player.

I hope my cynicism is misplaced but I wonder about the HS agenda.

Mark Robinson has spoken before about Harley Bennell drunkenly approaching him at the Brownlow on multiple occasions, ready to punch his head in until other players have intervened.

I dare say Robbo has been sitting on these photos, not to protect the player, but waiting for a slow news week.

I don't reckon he'd take pride in it, but I think that sort of behaviour would make you a lot less hesitant to release the photos & protect the kid from his own stupidity.

I would have thought Speed which apparently is what Bennell was snorting could be classified as performance enhancing and as such should have the same consequences as taking other performance enhancers.

Seems unjust that someone like Saad gets 2 years for a relatively minor indiscretion and Bennell is likely to face only a wrist slap, if anything.

There needs to be a major rethink by the AFL before the competition implodes.

Speed of some sort or another may well have sustained Benny at Methcoast in his heyday premiership and Brownlow time and enabled him to run like the Everready man all day. Yet, apparently, that was not (then) classed as performance enhancing.

Strange sets of values and double standards.

All stimulants must be regarded as performance enhancing- surely.

I'm glad nobody on the footy show uses drugs.

Channel 7 must be clean too

of course the herald scum staff are pure as the driven snow

The Age and all the AFL staff too.

I'm so pleased there is plenty of solid citizens cleaning out the scourge of illicit drug use!!!

gives one a warm fizzy feeling doesn't it biffo

i get lots of those in my dotage lately