WEST Coast officials failed to act on warnings about illicit drug use by players six years ago, according to one former player, who said the problem was pushed under the carpet.

"I knew what was going on. Me and another player went to the coaching staff and told them. We informed them about drug use," the former player said.

In 2002, he was told to keep quiet after raising his concerns about player behaviour with members of the coaching staff and administration.

The former player, who asked not to be identified, told The Age he was warned to "watch what I was insinuating about other players" and not cause any trouble. He said there were also times when he saw players arrive at training and club functions "off their trees", but no action was taken by the club.

"They were told six years ago about it and they pushed it under the carpet."

After being advised to stay quiet about what he had seen, he was later confronted by one of the players concerned, who told him to "shut your f---ing mouth" about drug use.

"I've seen this for the last year and a half, all these little incidents that keep happening, keep happening and they (the club) keep doing (nothing) about it," he said.

"I just can't believe how the AFL hasn't come in and said, 'Boys, this is our brand you're f---ing up here. If you don't get rid of him (Cousins), we'll get rid of him'.

"Unfortunately, Ben's got a serious problem. At the end of the day, it's sad what's happened and there's got to be a duty of care from West Coast towards Ben Cousins."

After a board meeting on Wednesday, chief executive Trevor Nisbett said there were "a number of things over a number of years we have been dealing with" in relation to Cousins' off-field behaviour.

"I guess the biggest thing that we need to get back to is his health and we felt this (sacking him) is the right decision to assist Ben to concentrate solely and only on his health issues," Nisbett said.

Earlier this year, coach John Worsfold said he first became aware of Cousins' "issues" when he missed a team meeting two days after the round-16 game against Collingwood in 2006.

Worsfold later said up to eight players told him that they had used illicit drugs.

Outgoing chairman Dalton Gooding revealed in March "a very small minority" of players had a problem with drugs, but said the club was "slowly" getting on top of the issue.

After Cousins' arrest, former player Glen Jakovich said there were times the club "probably turned a blind eye to certain issues", but felt it had turned a corner.

"Unfortunately, a few things have come out and it's perceived as a culture. I don't think it's a culture," the four-time best and fairest winner said on radio station SEN.

Another former Eagle, Peter Wilson — who finished playing in 1995 — said he was not aware of a drug problem at West Coast.

"In all the years I was involved, I never saw any recreational drug use or illicit drug use," he said.

"To me, the whole drug thing is a total spinout. I don't understand it. I've never been involved with it and never seen it."

Wilson said many former teammates were suffering after the recent death of Chris Mainwaring — the 41-year-old's death attributed to a cocktail of drugs and alcohol — and stunned by Cousins' arrest and sacking this week.

"It's been horrendous; it's a shock I'm miles from getting over and this (latest Cousins incident) is just more grief the club will have to handle."

Eagles coach Worsfold and chief executive Nisbett were not available for comment yesterday.