The Mooroolbark Football Club understands and accepts it has a duty of care to provide a safe and
healthy environment, free of illegal drugs. This policy reflects a commitment by the club to
the health, safety and welfare of all its members.
This policy has been approved by the committee of the Mooroolbark Football Club.
The Mooroolbark Football Club is committed to:
•Encouraging and assisting members to realise their full potential within anenvironment that actively promotes their health, safety and well-being
•Preventing alcohol and other drug related harm to individuals, property and the
reputation of the club
•Ensuring a supportive and inclusive environment for all members
•Providing support to members who wish to address their patterns of alcohol
and/or illegal drug use
•Meeting legal requirements in relation to alcohol and illegal drugs
•Encouraging moderation and a responsible attitude to the consumption of
alcohol
Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to ensure club members understand the club’s position
regarding illegal drugs and explain how the club will respond to a drug-related incident
within its jurisdiction.
Definitions
•Illegal drugs
Illegal drugs are used by many people in the community, including young adults, so it is
likely that some members of our club will have access to them. Currently there are two
distinct but related illegal drug issues confronting sporting clubs:
•performance enhancing drugs
•illegal drugs used for social purposes (e.g. at parties, raves, in the home, at the
club, etc).
These two categories are not mutually exclusive. Some illegal drugs used for socialpurposes (such as amphetamines, e.g. speed) may be used to enhance sporting performance.
•Club jurisdiction
The Club jurisdiction extends to the club premises and all activities organised by or for
the club at any location or venue.
Illegal drug policy for clubs
© Australian Drug Foundation 2008
•Club confidant
The Club will designate an appropriate individual to act as the ‘Club confidant’. This
person may, but does not have to be the Club President or another office bearer and
will be responsible for the management of all illegal drug related incidents.
The Club will support this person to carry out their duties whenever required.
Illegal Drug Use
The possession, use, distribution or selling of illegal drugs for any purposes on club
premises or at any function or activity organised by the club is prohibited.
•In the case of an incident involving an illegal drug, the initial actions and responses will
focus on the safety and welfare of those directly and indirectly involved. All responsesand actions will reflect the club’s duty of care to members, visitors and all other people.
•The club will investigate all apparent or alleged breaches of this policy and determine a
course of action after all relevant facts and circumstances are known.
•The club may refer a member who is involved in illegal drug use to a medical or healthservice for assistance or, if the clubdeems it necessary in the circumstances, to the
police.
Managing illegal drug incidents
Where a club member becomes aware that illegal drug use is occurring at the club orwithin its jurisdiction, the member should pass on this information to the President and/or
Club confidant. Should the need arise, the Club will sanction the individual(s) in line with
the club’s rules and policies.
The Club confidant will;
oSpeak to the individual(s) in private, expressing concern about their druguse
oRemind the individual(s) of the club policy and asked for a commitment that
it will not happen again
oOffer options for support and referral for counselling or other help
oLeave the door open for further communication with the individual(s)
concerned.
oInform the Club President in the event of non-compliance
•If an individual(s) is under the influence of a legal or illegal drug at the club, the club will;
oEnsure the health and safety of the individual(s)
oKeep the individual under supervision and monitor them at regular intervals
oCall for medical assistance if required.
oArrange safe transport to take them home, unless this involves further risk.
oTake control of any remaining drugs in their possession, unless this
involves further risk.
Illegal drug policy for clubs
© Australian Drug Foundation 2008
oIf the person becomes violent or aggressive, contact police to ensure thesafety of all.
oIf the person becomes violent or aggressive, contact police to ensure thesafety of all.
Drugs found at the club or in the possession of an individual
•If illegal drugs are found at the club or in the possession of an individual, the President
and/or Club confidant will be contacted as soon as possible.
The Club will:
oTake possession of the drug if safe to do so.
oPlace the drug in a clean (preferably “snap lock”) plastic bag.
oSeal the plastic bag with masking tape to ensure it stays closed.
oThe finder and/or club president should sign and date the tape/bag.
oRecord details in an incident register.
oContact local police and request they attend the club to collect the drugs.
oStore the plastic bag in a secure place until collected by police.
oObtain the signature of attending police for the incident register to show the
drugs have been taken into their possession.
oAsk the person suspected to be in possession of the drugs to leave the
premises immediately (assuming it is safe for them to do so), if they deny
possessing drugs or refuse to relinquish possession of the drugs to the
club.
Supplying Illegal drugs
•If it is suspected or known that a member is supplying illegal drugs to other members of
the club, the Club confidant will;
oSpeak to the individual to determine if they are supplying illegal drugs to
others.
oIf this is verified, or there is a strong belief this is occurring, the club will
contact Crime Stoppers on 1300 333 000.
oIf it is unable to be verified, the club will monitor the situation and warn the
individual that the matter will be reported to the police if the club has
continued concerns.
Privacy
•Subject to its right to contact the police if necessary, the Club will maintain the privacy
of those involved where possible
•The Club will act with discretion when absolute confidentiality cannot be guaranteed
•Club personnel will be informed on a need to know basis only
Contacting parents
•In the interests of health and safety, the Club will contact the parents or guardian of a
minor where apparent or suspected illegal drug use has occurred (unless by doing so it
will place the safety of the individual at risk of greater harm)
•The Club will inform all members aged under 18 years that parents will be notified if the
club is aware (or strongly believes) they are using or supplying illegal drugs.
Illegal drug policy for clubs
© Australian Drug Foundation 2008
••
Contacting police
•If the Club is aware that a member is supplying illegal drugs to other members, they will
notify Crime Stoppers of this activity
•In the case of apparent or alleged illegal drug use, the club may report a person to, or
seek the advice of the police
Medical emergency
The Club understands that medical assistance may be required if a person has been using
drugs.
Media
•The Club will designate a club official to communicate with the media on behalf of theclub should the need arise
•The Club may seek advice from the league/association prior to communicating with the
media
•No other member of the club will communicate with the media on this issue, unless
specifically requested by the club official
Non-compliance
All club committee members will enforce the illegal drug policy and any non-compliance
will be handled according to the following process:
•The designated Club confidant (and President) will be informed of the breach of
policy
•The individual(s) concerned will be reminded of the club policy
•Issue a warning of future sanctions for continued non-compliance
The Club confidant and President will use their discretion asto the action taken for non-
compliance, based on:
•Whether it involved use or supply
•Whether the use or supply takes place within the club’s jurisdiction or in private
•Age of the persons involved
In general, and depending on any other rules of the club, should an individual(s) continue
non-compliance with this policy, the following will occur;
•suspension for a designated time period
•expulsion from the club.
Policy review
This policy will be reviewed annually to ensure it remains relevant to club operations and
reflects both community expectations and legal requirements.
Illegal drug policy for clubs
© Australian Drug Foundation 2008
Last Modified on 24/11/2010 16:24