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To All Clubs and Coaches - Drug Testing

19/12/03
by Brian Aldred
The listing was posted by ENGLAND BASKETBALL - Coaching

Memo:  To All Clubs and Coaches                             

 

Re:                             Drug Testing                    19 December 2003

 

 

  • UK Sport has increased the amount of drug testing that is being carried out. We have already seen a number of national league players tested this year and this testing will continue throughout the season. Please ensure that your players are alerted to this and that you co-operate fully with the Doping Control Officers.

 

  • Doping controls can take place at any fixture and players selected for testing must complete the sample collection process regardless of the time it may take and the effect on travel arrangements.

 

  • We will be conforming to the World Anti-Doping Code of Prohibited Substances and Methods – valid as from 1st January 2004. For further information, or to check the full list visit the websites at www.wada-ama.org or www.uksport.gov.uk/did/.

 

There are some significant changes to the WADA Anti-Doping List that you need to know about – and need to inform your players about:

 

1.             Cannabis:

 

Cannabis will be tested for in competition across all sports and a positive result represents a doping violation. Players should keep in mind that cannabis can remain in the system for many weeks. Any use of this substance should cease immediately to avoid any positive findings in competition.

 

2.             Pseudoephedrine:

 

Pseudoephedrine has been removed from the banned list from 1 January. This is good news as it means that athletes can take many decongestant remedies, which were previously prohibited to alleviate symptoms of the common cold. If you are going to take such a cold remedy check that the active ingredient is pseudoephedrine and not any other form of stimulant. Ephedrine is still banned.

 

3.             Corticosteroids:

 

Topical or inhaled corticosteroids are banned during in competition testing from 1 January 2004; however exemption to use them may be gained with the required medical notification. This is a minefield of potential “inadvertent doping” so extreme care is needed when using creams, drops, nose sprays or asthma inhalers to avoid an inadvertent positive doping result.

 

4.             Local anaesthetics:

 

Local anaesthetics have been removed from the list and will not require notification.

 

5.             Insulin:

 

The manner in which insulin is dealt with in the prohibited list has changed. Any players requiring insulin to treat diabetes will need the necessary medical notification (Therapeutic Use Exemption).

 

6.             Caffeine:

 

Caffeine has been removed from the banned list from 1 January 2004.