by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago
Melbourne police wasted little time in tracking down and arresting two suspects for the theft of confidential medical records from a drug rehab clinic. The stolen documents were sold to Melbourne's Channel Seven which revealed that two high profile players from a team set to contest finals had tested positive for illegal drug use. The news report by Seven did not reveal the name of the club or the players but did report the nature and frequency of drug use. Afterward, an injunction was granted preventing any more of the report being revealed in the media. A woman whose identity was electronically concealed claimed to have found the documents in the street outside the clinic and was unable to return them because the clinic was closed at the time. She then sold them to Seven for several thousand dollars, believing the revelations were in the public interest and would help the players, whose names she recognized on the documents. She and an alleged accomplice have since been arrested and charged.
Police also got a warrant to search Channel Seven's offices and seized a number of documents in relation to the incident. Seven could yet come under police scrutiny if it can be proven that Seven knew the records had been stolen before going to air. Should that be the case, Seven, which has been co-operating with police, could be charged with handling stolen property.
AFLPA boss Brendon Gale and Andrew Demetriou were both distressed and outraged that Seven reported the story. Demetriou commended other media outlets which refused to purchase the documents while Gale said it was serious breach of medical confidentially which involved medical ethics and legal issues. Gale also said the woman's story was dubious, as the clinic and doctor involved are highly regarded.
The club involved also wants to know the name of the players involved. Under the AFL's drug policy, clubs are not notified until a player returns a third positive test. Prior to that, only the club doctor and AFL Medical Commissioner are notified. The policy, in recent times, has come under fire as being too lenient and a number of people want players "named and shamed" after just one positive test. However, the AFL has staunchly defended the policy, introduced in 2005, saying the best advice they have had in formulating the policy is confidentiality, education and rehabilitation.
With this latest breach, the AFLPA is considering a review of its, and the players' commitment to the policy. Gale said while most players still support the policy overall, they are increasingly concerned about the breaches in confidentiality. Last year, media outlets obtained and were going to publish the names of three players who had tested positive. The AFL took out an injunction to prevent their identities being made public. An exhaustive investigation failed to discover how the those names were leaked from the ASADA.
A number of players from all 16 clubs refused to speak with Seven reporters covering the games in protest of the stations actions. The boycott was supported by the AFLPA and Andrew Demetriou, while hoping to heal the rift, said he understood the players' anger.
Officials from the AFL, the AFLPA and Channel Seven met several days after the explosive story was aired, but talks failed as Seven refused to apologize or permanently suppress the story. Seven also sought to have the injunction overturned but the court extended the injunction indefinitely. Seven did agree to commend the AFL's efforts in tackling the drug issue.
Source: Melbourne Age & Herald Sun
Melbourne police wasted little time in tracking down and arresting two suspects for the theft of confidential medical records from a drug rehab clinic. The stolen documents were sold to Melbourne's Channel Seven which revealed that two high profile players from a team set to contest finals had tested positive for illegal drug use. The news report by Seven did not reveal the name of the club or the players but did report the nature and frequency of drug use. Afterward, an injunction was granted preventing any more of the report being revealed in the media. A woman whose identity was electronically concealed claimed to have found the documents in the street outside the clinic and was unable to return them because the clinic was closed at the time. She then sold them to Seven for several thousand dollars, believing the revelations were in the public interest and would help the players, whose names she recognized on the documents. She and an alleged accomplice have since been arrested and charged.
Police also got a warrant to search Channel Seven's offices and seized a number of documents in relation to the incident. Seven could yet come under police scrutiny if it can be proven that Seven knew the records had been stolen before going to air. Should that be the case, Seven, which has been co-operating with police, could be charged with handling stolen property.
AFLPA boss Brendon Gale and Andrew Demetriou were both distressed and outraged that Seven reported the story. Demetriou commended other media outlets which refused to purchase the documents while Gale said it was serious breach of medical confidentially which involved medical ethics and legal issues. Gale also said the woman's story was dubious, as the clinic and doctor involved are highly regarded.
The club involved also wants to know the name of the players involved. Under the AFL's drug policy, clubs are not notified until a player returns a third positive test. Prior to that, only the club doctor and AFL Medical Commissioner are notified. The policy, in recent times, has come under fire as being too lenient and a number of people want players "named and shamed" after just one positive test. However, the AFL has staunchly defended the policy, introduced in 2005, saying the best advice they have had in formulating the policy is confidentiality, education and rehabilitation.
With this latest breach, the AFLPA is considering a review of its, and the players' commitment to the policy. Gale said while most players still support the policy overall, they are increasingly concerned about the breaches in confidentiality. Last year, media outlets obtained and were going to publish the names of three players who had tested positive. The AFL took out an injunction to prevent their identities being made public. An exhaustive investigation failed to discover how the those names were leaked from the ASADA.
A number of players from all 16 clubs refused to speak with Seven reporters covering the games in protest of the stations actions. The boycott was supported by the AFLPA and Andrew Demetriou, while hoping to heal the rift, said he understood the players' anger.
Officials from the AFL, the AFLPA and Channel Seven met several days after the explosive story was aired, but talks failed as Seven refused to apologize or permanently suppress the story. Seven also sought to have the injunction overturned but the court extended the injunction indefinitely. Seven did agree to commend the AFL's efforts in tackling the drug issue.
Source: Melbourne Age & Herald Sun
Article last changed on Friday, September 07, 2007 - 1:45 AM EDT
