March 23, 2015
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has urged football clubs to “dob-in” drug traffickers following further revelations today that ice use is creeping into community sport.
Mr Chester was responding to reports in today’s Herald Sun that claimed metropolitan and country footballers were using the drug as a performance-enhancing substance, sometimes just minutes before running on to the field.
The Gippsland MP has previously raised his concerns in Parliament that ice use was becoming more common in country football and that sporting clubs were in the best position to provide leadership on the issue.
“Football clubs do a great amount of positive work in our communities and I’m concerned a minority of people are ruining the reputation of grassroots clubs,” Mr Chester said.
“These reports today further support my calls for a national strategy underpinned by community and sporting club vigilance and prevention measures. Anyone with information on drug trafficking should report details to the police.
“Many people I meet in Gippsland are concerned about the impact of ice. Finding a solution will involve all of us in our local communities—from the teachers in our schools and the sporting coaches—right through to the Federal Parliament itself.”
Mr Chester last year co-sponsored a drug education forum for East Gippsland football and netball clubs.
“Many of our local sporting clubs in Gippsland are already providing outstanding leadership in raising awareness of important social issues,” Mr Chester said.
“Addressing the use of ice is the next stage in this process and I know that football clubs in particular are eager to ensure methamphetamine use does not become more wide spread than it already is.”
Mr Chester continued to invite people to email him with practical suggestions for how to combat the ice problem. People can also leave their suggestions with Mr Chester on Facebook.