NAMIBIA FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION
ALCOHOL AND DRUGS POLICY 2008
1. Policy aims
1.1 To rise awareness amongst the family of football about sensible drinking practices and provide information on the misuse of drugs within football and to promote the general health and will being of football people.
1.2 To encourage all player and officials to seek help or support should they have any problem with regard o the misuse of alcohol or drugs in their personal life.
1.3 To promote good working practice with the emphasis on support and training for all players and officials on the correct use of, and abuse of alcohol or drugs.
1.4 To maintain a healthy and safe environment for all stakeholders.
1.5 As a sport institution, to set an example to other organizations and public generally on the issue.
2. Responsibilities
2.1 The overall responsibility rest with the Executive Committee.
2.2 Responsibility for community details of the policy and ensuring that it is implemented effectively within our institution rests with the Secretary General and the Heads of all technical divisions such as Refereeing and Coaching.
2.3 Heads of Division are responsible for raising the awareness of their officials about the policy and for being alert to any form of alcohol/drug misuse amongst players and officials and taking the appropriate action in accordance with this policy.
2.4 The Heads of Divisions will provide support, advice and guidance to individual referees and coaches to implement this policy. The Heads of Divisions if requested by an official shall provide support, advice and guidance.
2.5 The Technical Department will assist officials with training required to implement this policy.
2.6 The Technical Department is responsible for ensuring consistency of approach in dealing with alcohol/drug misuse cases.
2.7 Individuals, players and officials will take personal responsibility for their own behaviors, standards including responsibility for notifying their managers or seeking appropriate support should they have an alcohol/drug problem.
2.8 Players and officials in general will be expected to encourage colleagues to seek support or advice where they are concerned that alcohol/drugs may be affecting a colleague’s behavior.
3. Consumption of alcohol before and during matches
3.1 This policy will apply to all players and officials in the territory of the venues of NFA sanctioned matches and premises hosting NFA and Regional Office.
3.2 All players and officials have a personal and professional responsibility towards their colleagues, fans, spectators and members of the public. Members of the public will expect the highest standard from players and officials at all times, therefore the consumption of alcohol or illegal substances is inappropriate when on duty or shortly before matches and meetings are work is due to start and where performance would be affected. Smelling of alcohol at before or during matches and meetings is also unacceptable because of public perception.
3.3 In areas where members of the public are not present and where players and officials are off duty, then drinking of alcohol may be permitted for Special Occasions e.g Retirements, leaving parties, long services awards, Christmas parties etc. The appropriate person will be responsible for any arrangements including the provision of non/low alcohol beverage/drinks. At such occasions, all footballers are expected to be aware of their personal and professional responsibilities as per (3.2) above.
4. Guideline of alcohol/drugs misuse signs
4.1 Alcohol/drug consumption or misuse may influence football and refereeing performance even if the misuse takes place away from match venue, however, it is very important not to jump to conclusions, since apparent signs of misuse could be as a result of something else. Initial counseling will therefore be required to establish the true facts. Signs of alcohol/drug misuse include:
4.2 Sudden change in behavior patterns;
4.3 Tendency to become confused;
4.4 Irritability and possible violence;
4.5 Abnormal fluctuation in mood and energy;
4.6 Impaired football performance;
4.7 Poor time keeping;
4.8 Increase in short term sickness or absenteeism;
4.9 Decline in standards of dress and general appearance;
4.10 Deterioration in relationship with other people;
4.11 Coming on duty smelling of alcohol;
5. Guidelines of handling alcohol/drugs misuse case
5.1 Players and officials who declare an alcohol/drug dependency problem and seek support or treatment will not normally be dealt with under the Disciplinary Procedure. However, if players and officials are using or are in possession of illegal drugs (which are not prescribed) at match venues they may be reported to the police in the case of drugs and to the Secretary General in the case of alcohol. Prior to reporting allegations to the police, players and officials will be given the opportunity to offer an explanation with an independent person agreeable to both parties present.
5.2 Players and officials seeking support or treatment will be assured of confidentiality at the time of their referral by the Head of Division involved, within the parameters of their professional code of practice.
5.3 Alcohol/drug dependency may be discovered in a number of ways. For example players and officials may refer themselves to an appropriate agency or their managers. Unsatisfactory performance/misconduct/absenteeism may highlight the problem, or a colleague may bring the issue to the manager’s attention.
5.4 On becoming aware of the problem, the appropriate manger/independent person will, following discussion with the player or official, refer him to the Rehabilitation section, Psychiatric Department for initial assessment/further advice.
5.5 Players or officials attending a meeting with management may choose to be accompanied by a trade union representative, friend or colleague.
5.6 Players and officials refusing the assessment in (5.4) should be reminded of their personal and professional responsibilities and the consequences of their refusal should be explained. Future incidents will then be dealt with under the Disciplinary Procedure.
5.7 If players and officials initially accept treatment and support but then fail to attend treatment appointments, any future incident will be viewed seriously and may be dealt with under the Disciplinary Procedure.
5.8 The Technical Department will offer support and advice to the referred player or official. Alternatively they may refer the player or official to a recognized Rehabilitation Centre for advice or treatment as appropriate.
5.9 Once treatment is complete players and official should be assured that they may re-refer if they feel the need to do so in the future. If players and officials re-refer themselves, they will be supported in this. If players and official refuse to re-refer when a further incident has been identified, then they should give reasons.
5.10 Where players and officials are advised, as part of a treatment programme, to take time off work the normal rules concerning the production of medical certificate will apply.
5.11 In case where alcohol/drugs dependency is not eliminated or controlled sufficiently to allow a resumption of normal football duties, the appropriate head of division will be taking account of medical advice, either allow the employee further time to recover, consider suitable alternative assignment (if available) consider terminating the officials services or make an application to stop the players from national call ups.
6. Guidelines in handling alcohol/drugs misuse –Disciplinary cases
6.1 The appropriate supervisor (head of section, subsection or component) will highlight to the player or official any concerns they may have including unsatisfactory performance.
6.2 Where players or officials confirm that they do not have an alcohol/drug problem (preferably in writing) than any reported incident will be dealt with under the Disciplinary Procedure.
6.3 Where players or officials confirm that they have alcohol/drug problem but refuse support or treatment, then any incident will be dealt with under the Disciplinary Procedure
.
6.4 In serious cases (i.e. gross misconduct) of alcohol/drug misuse or in circumstances where players or officials have received previous warning than recommendation for suspension will be an option.
6.5 Where players or officials agree to attend a referral agency for treatment or support, disciplinary action, including suspension/dismissal, may also be appropriate in the following or similar circumstances:
(i) Where players or official decide to refuse or discontinue treatment.
(ii) Where players or officials disregard this policy and in particular, paragraphs 3.1 to 3.3 above then they may be warned about this in accordance with the Disciplinary Procedures.
(iii) Where players and officials have a poor attendance record or fail to report absences.
7. Review of this policy
7.1 This policy will be reviewed by the Executive Committee one year after its introduction, spearheaded by the Secretary General.
7.2 Information concerning the number of reported alcohol/drug related accident/incident will be monitored according to reports.
7.3 Information about the number of referrals to recognized rehabilitation centre will be monitored.
7.4 The number of alcohol disciplinary cases will be monitored by the Secretary General.
8. The outcome of the review will be reported to the NFA Executive Committee and the NFA Congress.
Barry Rukoro
For the NFA Executive Committee
ALCOHOL AND DRUGS POLICY, APRIL 2008