St Kilda suspends Zac Dawson, Rhys Stanley, Jack Steven and Paul Cahill over an incident involving alcohol and sleeping pills during a pre-season training camp in New Zealand.

Saints CEO Michael Nettlefold says the issues at the Saints are symptomic of those seen in general society.

"We are a mirror of the broader society. We don't have all the answers, all we can do it rethink how we approach these issues," Nettlefold told SEN radio.

"The AFL has some outstanding programs in use for respect and responsibility and drug issues. It's come out of left field for us and we haven't put our head in the sand about it."