“To who much is given, much is expected.”

A creed repeated by many an athlete in my beloved American sports.

I first heard those words on ESPN by Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton and they immediately resonated with me.

Having spent the majority of my youth not even considering being able to play AFL footy - I always had a dream of making it as a professional athlete.

A whirlwind ensued which included many a failed basketball contract before the AFL come and found me, hiding in Swan Hill, country Victoria.

So once I landed at Essendon, I was extremely determined to make every post a winner.

Like the majority of adolescents in society, as I turned 18 I wanted to go to pubs and enjoy drinking with my mates - we thought we were bulletproof.

But for me there was always a line - drinking with my mates at a parents house or at a pub was fine, anything more was crossing the line in my view.

I can proudly and loudly say I have never dabbled in any type of drug - I am confident that will be the case my entire life.

The risk is just too great, particularly with the opportunities we have as AFL players.

Despite ridicule surrounding the current illicit drugs policy, I firmly believe it is up to the individual to keep a clean sheet and not rely on testing to keep drugs and sport from crossing paths.

Education is provided by the AFL, AFLPA, each AFL club and there are more than enough community programs, professional services and experts to guide you through anything you may be unsure about.

So, there are a variety of options for anyone unable to escape the lure of recreational drugs.

For me, it’s simple - the opportunity I have with the Crows is far too great to take risks with party drugs and even bigger risks with performance enhancing substances.

With suspensions for PED use extending up around four years to life bans, the minute advantage you may gain from the drug falls well short of the frustration, pain and embarrassment or watching from the sidelines and having your career and reputation ruined.

Changes may occur to both drug policies but the onus remains the same - it’s up to each individual player to respect the game enough to keep it clean and healthy.

Players need to keep their own backyard clean and be man enough to encourage others to follow their lead.

Now, I want to make this clear - I am not claiming to be a choir boy nor am I condemning people who chose to take drugs, I am merely stating my point of view.

Recent events involving Collingwood pair Lachlan Keeffe and Josh Thomas as well as Fremantle midfielder Ryan Crowley show the AFL is by no means immune to drugs.

The Collingwood, Crowley, Essendon and Ahmed Saad situations all have one thing in common - bad outcomes for all involved.

Despite the Bombers’ players victory in the courts last week, ask any ‘Dons player and I bet you they don’t feel like they’ve had a win.

I’m yet to hear of a feel-good story when drugs are involved.

That’s more than enough reason for myself and the large majority of my mates to steer well and truly clear of drugs and everything they stand for.

Kicking goals in front of packed houses at Adelaide Oval are memories that last forever - cowering in a toilet cubicle to take a party drug surely doesn’t justify putting those memories at stake?