Aussie cricketers may face tougher testing regime for drugs

Sydney, June 15 (UNI) Under pressure from the Federal Government to begin testing for illegal drugs out-of-competition, Cricket Australia (CA) is considering introducing tougher testing regime for recreational drugs.

A day after the Australian Media revealed Swimming Australia is attempting to introduce out-of-competition testing for recreational drugs, CA is also hard pressed to take action when the issue will be discussed at a meeting in Melbourne today.

According to a report published in 'The Age', there is some support among the Board memebers for the Government's argument that the AFL model, under which a player is not identified or punished until after a third positive test, is too soft.

Though CA is yet to come up with an official response over the issue, CA spokesman Peter Young was quoted by 'Sydney Morning Herlad' as saying ''We are aware that there is drug use in the community and we are part of the community, we have a responsibility to understand this issue and act proactively.'' According to media reports, Australian cricketers will soon be quizzed about their personal drug use and preferences for a testing and enforcement regime.

Cricketers' Association chief executive Paul Marsh also praised AFL for initiating a leadership position on the issue and said recreational drugs is a society-wide issue. ''We'd be naive to think that it couldn't affect our sport,'' as quoted by 'The Age'.

Dr Peter Harcourt, the AFL's chief medical officer and a key author of the three-strikes policy, is one of two doctors who will present expert opinions to cricket's board of directors in today's meeting.

In today's meeting, CA executives will present their internal research about possible policy options.

Cricket Australia spokesman Peter Young was hopeful that a policy could be finalised soon.

As part of negotiations with CA, the Australian Cricketers' Association has written to all members asking them to complete a survey about their attitudes to recreational drugs.

Australian players, including those overseas in English county cricket, will be asked if they use drugs or have witnessed illicit drug use during their time in the sport, whether they support out-of-competition testing and what the consequences for a positive test should be. All state-level players, as well as elite female and under-19 cricketers will be included in the survey.

UNI