Fifteen AFL players failed illicit drug tests last year, but the governing body maintains their policy continues to be an effective way of protecting athletes and keeping the sport clean.

The AFL’s controversial Illicit Drugs Policy (IDP) involves a three strikes policy, and the allowance for players to self-report once during their careers.

On the third strike the player can be suspended up to 18 months and fined $5000, but until then the focus is on providing their athletes with confidential treatment and assistance.

Out-of-competition tests for illicit substances for the 2013 season resulted in 15 detections, down from 26 the previous year.

It was the lowest percentage (0.75 per cent) of positive tests since 2011 when only 0.40 per cent of players failed testing.

The 2013 results followed changes last year to the IDP designed to strengthen its detection and deterrence elements. The AFL did this in the wake of industry concerns and the ongoing increase in the availability and use of illicit substances across the wider community.

AFL general manager of football operations Mark Evans said the IDP was delivering on its objective to treat the use of illicit substances as a health issue.

“The detections last year mean that 15 players have been subject to early intervention in the form of expert counselling, treatment and ongoing monitoring under this medical and welfare-based policy approach,” Evans said.

“Illicit drug use is a significant issue across the broader community and the AFL playing group largely falls within the high risk 18-30 male age group. Individual players are not immune to peer group pressure and poor decision-making, but under this policy they have ready access to expert support and treatment to overcome the potential health impacts.

“Significantly, our advice is that the rate of illicit drug use within the AFL playing group remains substantially lower compared with the same age group of young men in the wider community.”