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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Melissa Moskal
DATIA Executive Director
800-355-1257

Alexandria, VA, January 13, 2005: The Drug & Alcohol Testing Industry Association (DATIA) applauds Major League Baseball on some parts of the sport’s just-announced policy on testing for steroids and performance-enhancing drugs, but encourages baseball to continue strengthening the program.

Under the new policy, players will be subject to random, unannounced testing and each player will be tested at least once per year, with the computer-generated random pool allowing for a player to be randomly tested more than once. Testing will also be conducted year-round, instead of between the opening day of spring training and the last day of the season. Further, players will also be tested for a wider array of performance-enhancing drugs, including steroid precursors and designer steroids such as THG, as well as masking agents and diuretics.

These new policies partially reflect recommendations DATIA made last month when the league and players union began negotiations. DATIA’s letter to the league and the players union provided advice on the development of comprehensive, consistent, and fair standards for a truly effective and credible testing program. The recommendations for a program that tests for performance-enhancing drugs and drugs of abuse included: random, unannounced testing throughout the year including during spring training and the off-season; collection and testing processes that follow industry-recognized standards including utilizing trained personnel to collect the testing specimen, a qualified laboratory and/or FDA-approved testing device to perform the testing, and having all confirmed positive tests reviewed by a trained Medical Review Officer; the use of a third party to conduct the testing; and testing for adulterants and masking agents as part of its drug-testing program.

“We applaud baseball’s efforts to rid the sport of steroids and performance-enhancing drugs, and look forward to seeing further details of the plan to ensure that industry standards are being used. Furthermore, we’re happy to assist the league and union in the development of their program,” said DATIA Executive Director Melissa Moskal.

DATIA is a 1,100-member national trade association representing the full spectrum of drug and alcohol testing service agents including laboratories, collection sites, C/TPAs, BATs, MROs, SAPs, employers, and testing device manufacturers.

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