Sports Drug Testing Under Fire Again

Drug testing in professional sports is very much in the news again this week. Rafael Palmeiro tested positive for steroids in baseball’s drug testing program after testifying before Congress that he has never used steroids. Congress is now asking for a copy of the test to determine if Palmeiro committed perjury in his testimony.

Also, the National Hockey League is being criticized by Congress for the drug testing policy in their new collective bargaining agreement. The policy dictates testing during training and the regular season (no off-season testing) and would not require an independent administrator.  According to the letter sent by the House Committee on Government Reform to the NHL, this policy “underscores the need for federal legislation.”

As previously reported in a story about the Clean Sports Act, DATIA applauds Congress for introducing uniform standards for drug testing in professional sports and the requirement for programs to be administered independently. Such standards are key to a fair, efficient, and effective testing program.

The legislation is currently before Committee and should be taken up when Congress returns after Labor Day.

Would you like to learn more about sports testing and performance-enhancing drugs?  Join DATIA for the Top 5 in ’05 Workshop on September 14, 2005 in Boston, Massachusetts!