Collingwood boss Gary Pert is seriously concerned about an illegal drug culture that is growing in AFL.

Pert told News Limited that it was a significant issue in the game that needs to be addressed.

“This is a serious issue with young men in the community and we’d be naive to think it didn’t happen in the AFL,” he said.

The Magpies chief executive said he had witnessed the effect that drugs had on several AFL players.

Pert said he had seen a number of players play AFL football while battling drug addiction, including Ben Cousins and former Magpie Gavin Crosisca.

He raised the issue at a meeting of CEOs last week before the AFL national draft.

A specific forum has been set up by the AFL for late January to tackle the issue of drugs within the game.