Sensational allegations emerged two months ago of the AFL aiding and abetting illegal drug use.
Drugs in sport is a constant, thorny issue. Not just performance enhancing drugs but social recreational drugs. They are a society issue, so why wouldn't they be a sports' issue. The AFL has a three strikes recreational drug policy. Players are tested on game day by Sports Integrity Australia. If there is a positive test, the player is told but their name is kept confidential. If there is a second positive test, the player is outed and fined. A third positive test, results in a 12-month suspension.
The allegations were made by Melbourne Demons doctor Zeeshan Arain and tabled in Parliament by Andrew Wilkie. In essence Dr Arain states that as the Club's Doctor he was encouraged by the AFL to administer secret drug testing of certain players prior to games. If the player tested positive, then the player was encouraged to pull out of the game feigning either injury or illness. Thereby the player and the AFL would avoid a positive result for recreational drugs.
Many former players, coaches and commentators are outraged. They see this secret testing as a mechanism to cover up drug abuse. That the AFL is encouraging drug use and player deception.
Former founding president of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Dick Pound compared this behaviour to Eastern Bloc countries at the 1976 Montreal Olympic Games. Apparently, their athletes would provide urine samples to their own laboratory (hidden on a ship) just before their events. If found positive, they would be withdrawn from the event citing illness or injury.
Shaun Smith is the father of Melbourne Demons player Joel who is under investigation for trafficking cocaine to his team mates. Shaun claims his son had never used cocaine before joining the club. Shaun believes the AFL is aiding and abetting illegal drug use, and this contributed to his son's situation.
The AFL have defended their previously undisclosed drug testing program. The program is designed to protect the health and wellbeing of players, and to prevent them from breaching anti-doping regulations by playing with illegal substances in their bodies. The welfare of players is a high priority for the AFL.
The AFL believes these tests have to stay confidential as they are between doctor and patient.
Interestingly the AFL's statement does not address how the secret drug testing program fits with its purportedly tough three strikes policy.
You can make your own mind up about this drug testing regime. But one thing that stands out is that it was done in secret. Before Dr Arain blew the whistle, no one really knew about it. I would suggest it was kept secret because if people knew, they would blow up about it which is what has happened.
Jesus talks about keeping secrets. In Luke 8:17 he says; For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open.
And In Luke 12:2-3 he says; There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs.
But in Matthew 6:2-4 he says; So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do … to be honoured by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand now what your right hand is doing, so that your giving maybe in secret. Then your Father who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
And in Matthew 6:6 he says; But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
So from these verses we know that nothing really is secret. Whatever we do is known by God and will probably be known by others. We should know this and consider this, before we do anything.
There are some things we are meant to do in secret. Wherever possible we should help others in secret, not looking for an earthly reward but a heavenly one. Same when praying, we should not do it to look good.
I suppose it all comes back to your heart. Why are doing this?
Why do you want to keep it secret? Why do you want to tell everyone about it?
It's good to know God does not miss anything. Well in terms of doing good. In terms of doing bad, it's good to know his capacity to forgive is greater than our capacity to sin.
Go with God.
Peter O'Sullivan
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