Drug and Alcohol Policy

Policy Statement

The Walkerville Football Club is committed to providing a safe, healthy, family friendly and successful sport environment. All members of the Football Club have a responsibility to ensure that they take reasonable care to protect their own health and safety and that of others whilst in this environment by not being affected by alcohol or other drugs to the extent that it impacts on their own or another person’s recreational enjoyment or safety.

Definitions

For the purpose of this Policy, the Walkerville Football Club defines alcohol and drugs as follows:

“Alcohol” refers to any beverage, containing an alcoholic content that temporarily impairs a person’s physical or mental capacity.
“Drugs” refers to a chemical substance, whether it is legal or illegal, which may have the ability to impair a person’s physical or mental capacity. These can include non-prescribed drugs, for example, but not limited to, speed, heroin, amphetamines, LSD, crack, cocaine, ecstasy, marijuana, etc.
“Member” refers to any playing or social member associated with the Walkerville Football club, whether financial (fee-paying) or not.

Illicit Drugs and their Effects

Amphetamines

Also known as speed, goey, whiz, crystal, meth, base, paste, ice, shabu.

Cannabis

Also known as marijuana, grass, pot, ganja, mull, hash, dope, yarndi, skunk, hydro.

Cocaine

Also known as coke and sometimes available as freebase or crack.

Ecstasy

Also known as E, pills.

Hallucinogens

Includes Magic Mushrooms and LSD (also known as trips, acid, tabs, wangers, microdots).

Heroin

Also known as hammer, H, shit, smack, horse, harry, white, scag, junk, slow, rock.

Steroids (Anabolic Androgenic Steroids)

Volatile Substances (Solvents, Inhalants)

Includes a wide range of different substances such as petrol, spray paints, some glues, laughing gas (nitrous oxide), butane and other chemicals.

Procedures

The effects of intoxication and the regular use of or dependence on alcohol or other drugs are associated with impaired judgement and skills, reduced concentration, erratic behavior, aggression and violence, absenteeism and increased accidents. These behaviors and activities may seriously affect member safety and ethical standards within the Walkerville Football Club.

Members who have concerns about playing or associating with any other playing or social member due to possible alcohol or other drug use should consult with the President of the Walkerville Football Club immediately.

All members of the Walkerville Football Club are prohibited from selling, distributing, manufacturing, possessing or consuming drugs when on the premises of the Walkerville Football Club or at any club function. Alcohol will not be consumed by a player whilst a he is engaged in a game.

Playing members are prohibited from arriving to a match or returning to a match from any break under the influence of alcohol or other drugs.

The right of members to consume alcohol or take other drugs socially is acknowledged, however it is inappropriate to do so at the Walkerville Football Club as it places others at risk of harm and brings the Walkerville Football Club and it’s ‘family friendly’ environment into disrepute. Therefore, the Walkerville Football Club reserves the right to take action if a member is:

affected by alcohol or other drugs, so as to endanger their own safety or the safety of any other person in the during the course of a match or social club function;
found in the possession of drugs or unauthorised drug use equipment on the Walkerville Football Club premises; or
affected by alcohol or other drugs, so that the member’s performance is affected
known to be acknowledging significant use or involvement in production of illegal drugs or alcohol via friendship groups, social media, playing groups or family.

Should these issues be brought to the attention any of the Walkerville Football Club Committee members or coaching staff, the Walkerville football club may take the following action, enacted by any member of the Committee or coaching staff after appropriate and confidential discussion:

Immediately approach the member to discuss the issue and it’s implications
suspend the player/member from matches or club functions where appropriate until the matter is resolved to the satisfaction of the committee and coaching staff
remove the member from club functions if they pose a risk to themselves or others.
Immediately contact emergency services if there is suspicion of a drug overdose at any club function
counsel the player internally regarding their use of alcohol or drugs
refer the player to appropriate organisations to address the misuse or abuse of illicit substances;

The Walkerville Football Club reserves the right to search its premises for illicit drugs and confiscate the substance in question.

Medically Prescribed Drugs

In circumstances where an employee is taking medically prescribed drugs to manage a specific condition that may interfere with their playing performance, they are required to notify their coach. The coach, in consultation with the player, may make adjustments to the match requirements of the player concerned.

Club Functions

It Is recognised that after match and weekend functions organised by the football club will involve the consumption of alcohol. It is expected that club members consume alcohol responsibility at these times. Use of drugs at these functions is prohibited by the Club. Should it come to the attention of committee members that drugs are being consumed at these times, action will be taken as previously described.

Should players or members be significantly intoxicated due to alcohol use at club functions, the Walkerville Football Club reserves the right to refuse the service of alcohol in accordance with the Liquor Licensing Act.

Driving under the influence

In accordance with the Liquor Licensing Act and South Australian law, members of the Walkerville Football Club are not permitted to drive a vehicle, whether their own or not, when that person has consumed alcohol or other drugs. The Walkerville Football Club will accept no liability for any damage to a vehicle, injury to any person, or damage or injury to any third party, incurred while the driver of a vehicle is in breach of this Act or the law. All liabilities will rest with the driver concerned.

Resources:

Alcohol & Drug Information Service (24-hour information and counseling) Tel: 1300 13 1340 (South Australian callers – local call fee)
http://www.dassa.sa.gov.au is available for further information
An “Overdose Response Training Manual” is available from Drug and Alcohol Services South Australia if required.
Emergency Services: call 000 for ambulance or police attendance in an emergency
Police: call 131 444 for police attendance (not an emergency)

Date first formulated:	2014
Date Ratified by the CEO:	2014
Definitions:	Included in the policy
Policy Contact Person:	President. Walkerville Football Club
Legislation:	Liquor Licensing Act
References:	DASSA
Review Date:	2015