General Discussions

[kruddler]

That's unlikely.

From the American Addiction Centres website:

"After last use, cocaine or its metabolites typically can show up on a blood or saliva test for up to 2 days, a urine test for up to 3 days, and a hair test for months to years. A heavy user can test positive on a urine test for up to 2 weeks.

But other factors can influence how long it stays in someone’s body, such as metabolism, weight, dose, and frequency of use. Drinking while taking cocaine may also slow its elimination from the body."

Hair testing has been part of the AFL drug testing regime since 2016.  However, like risk takers generally, drug users may take the chance that they won't be tested until traces of illegal/banned substances are undetectable ... and they can always self-report and avoid a strike if they have been caught or self-reported before.

Chicken Nixon did say the both he and cousins were in the 99.9th percentile and their individual stories are very much unique.
But how many people would even know what metabolic percentile they would even be in....or of it was even a thing?

As for the testing, my understanding is that they don't do all 3 tests at the same time, despite having all available to them. I don't know the logistics of it, but players are well aware of them.

If you get super worried, just do what Ben cousins did and shave off all his hair when he was due to get tested. That was in his doco. Can't do hair tests if you have no hair to test.

Perhaps all players with shaved heads are ones we should be more wary of?