BeyondBlue chairman Jeff Kennett has described the AFL's three-strikes drugs policy as "totally out of touch with reality" in the wake of explosive pictures emerging of Gold Coast player Harley Bennell allegedly using illicit drugs.

Kennett, the former Hawthorn president, told SEN on Thursday morning that the AFL's illicit drugs policy did not go far enough to help players who might be at risk and hoped that the publication of the Bennell images might spark some positive change.

"I have long opposed the three-strike rule because I worry where it could lead to," Kennett said.

"We're very fortunate that we've had no death, but as far as I'm concerned if a code has a policy of no illicit drugs, of no recreational drugs at certain times, then that is the law and players have got to accept that.

"No one forces them to play the game. It's a voluntary mission by them and the reason I say the three-strike rule is wrong, as a president of a club (or) as a coach, if I knew a guy was taking illicit dugs I would want to get counselling to him as quickly as possible.

"The AFLPA and players all will say if there's a strike, get the club doctors involved. Can I tell you, that is not enough because it's not just enough to deal with the individual who might be the subject of the photo on the front page of the Herald Sun. You've also got to find out who are the other people involved, who are his circle of friends within the club who may also be taking these drugs or who might be at risk.

"I hope something good comes out of it. I hope the AFLPA understands that this is a voluntary code for players to play within and if there is a code re illicit drugs then this three-strike rule is just totally out of touch with reality."

Kennett said it was a sad day for the AFL and questioned whether the AFL was still a mentally healthy place for young players to work within.

"This is a fundamental issue and it's not just about drugs, it's actually about preparing men as best you can for life after sport," Kennett said.

"Some of our players now are feeling bored, they're not happy with the game, they're not happy with their role within it, they're becoming disillusioned.

" ... there is a lot wrong with a system at the moment in terms of whether the AFL as we know it is a mentally healthy place in which people are working and participating.

"If you go north of the border, this year we've had four suicides within ARL.

"... if people are turning to illicit drugs in the way in which it has been demonstrated this morning, there is something fundamentally wrong within the (AFL) code and it has to be addressed very quickly."

Kennett conceded Bennell may have thrown his career away, but insisted Gold Coast had the responsibility to embrace him and provide a regime of counselling and assistance.