No timeframe to close AFL drugs loophole

The AFL says it cannot put a timeframe on when it will close a policy loophole that allows its players to take party drugs but avoid being tested.

A drugs summit held on Wednesday between the AFL, club chief executives and the AFL Players' Association discussed possible improvements to the code's illicit drugs policy.

But it will be left to an annual working party consisting of three club chief executives, AFL medical officers, the AFLPA and medical experts to make recommendations to improve the "three-strikes" policy, including shutting a self-reporting loophole.

Players who put their hands up and admit to having used recreational drugs like ice, cocaine and ecstasy can avoid being tested and registering one of their three strikes.

Instead they are referred to seek help - and there are concerns some players are abusing the loophole any time they are required to undergo testing.

But AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou says the loophole will eventually be closed, though he was unable to say if it could be done in time for the start of the new season.

"That's something that can be addressed fairly quickly," Demetriou said.

"It is an issue to close that loophole so it doesn't get exploited."

The working party will not meet until the AFL releases its 2012 results of illicit drugs testing, which Demetriou said had not yet been decided.

Clubs will also have to rely on the working party pushing for them to be notified early than currently - with club bosses not notified until the player's third strike under the policy.

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No timeframe to close AFL drugs loophole