Former Collingwood footballer Gavin Crosisca is urging the AFL to change its policy on drug use. Picture: Ian Currie. Source: Herald Sun
REFORMED drug addict Gavin Crosisca has urged the AFL to revamp its illicit drugs policy, warning players are no longer afraid of the penalties.
Crosisca is determined to help the fight against drugs.
The former Collingwood player, who has been clean since May 2011, recently confessed he had spent 25 years as a player and coach addicted to amphetamines, cannabis and alcohol.
Crosisca, 44, yesterday volunteered to be involved in the AFL's drugs symposium next month, hopeful the league would assemble a panel of drug and alcohol experts and throw the forum open to the public.
The 1990 premiership player said if the AFL stuck with a three-strikes drugs policy, there must be greater disincentives for first and second strikes and fewer loopholes.
Crosisca, an assistant coach at Carlton as recently as 2008, is concerned that players can dodge strikes by repeatedly self-reporting drug use, and avoid tests while receiving counselling for a second strike.
My addiction was hidden ... if someone had confronted me it would have brought the issue to attention more quickly
"The AFL have been doing the best they can, but this is a great opportunity to bring this into the public forum, and do more," he told the Herald Sun.
"I have had a good look at the AFL's illicit drugs policy and it's about five years old and there is a real opportunity for them to revamp that.
"My addiction was hidden. Looking back, if someone had confronted me it would have brought the issue to attention more quickly. After your first strike someone needs to be told, not just AFL club medicos and the club doctor.
"Kids need help straight away, even if it's a one-off.
"The reason why players aren't afraid of it is there are no consequences.
"They aren't strong enough for them to be fearful of it.
"For a second strike you get a $5000 fine and a suspended six-match sentence and your club chief executive finds out.
"But without your coach knowing, or at least your welfare officer or chaplin, we are just hoping."
Players cannot play while receiving counselling after a second strike, but Crosisca said only a freak occurrence, such as Hawthorn's Travis Tuck being caught by police with drugs, would lead to three strikes.
Crosisca, who regularly attends Narcotics Anonymous meetings, has had extensive discussions with people in the drug and alcohol fields about the AFL's issues.
"I would be the first to put my hand up and would love to be involved in some way in the (symposium)," he said.
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