PRIME Minister Kevin Rudd has given the AFL's refined illicit drugs policy a tick of approval.

Mr Rudd called in to Melbourne radio station 3AW during a talkback discussion on Friday morning and described the changes as "a step forward".

"They're making progress on this and we would support them in sending a clear message that drugs in sport are unacceptable," Mr Rudd said.

In backing the league's illicit drugs strategy, Mr Rudd was questioned on the 'three-strike' approach, which has been an important part of the anti-drug code since its inception in 2005.

"The key thing is, if you go to the content of it, it also deals with a consistent approach to how long a person can continue to defy drug-testing standards; that's the first thing," he said.

"But secondly, there's an equal emphasis on what you do on the part of those players in terms of education, player welfare and rehabilitation."

The implementation of a hair sample testing trial is a key part of the refinement of the policy and Mr Rudd was comfortable with the amount of consultation the AFL had undertaken in making the move

"The AFL knows its family, its community, its culture; they can make those judgements in terms of how that's best done," he said.

"But the key thing is to draw some clear lines in the sand about drugs in sport. So I'd commend the AFL on the progress they've made."

To read a transcript of the interview, please go to the Prime Ministers web site - http://www.pm.gov.au/media/Interview/2008/interview_0452.cfm

For more information on the AFL's revamped illicit drugs policy go to

www.aflplayerssaynotodrugs.com.au

Courtesy of Jason Phelan / www.afl.com.au