Although numerous representatives from the drug and alcohol testing industry, including DATIA, identified serious problems with the proposed drug-testing program for Major League Baseball, the program finally agreed to did little to make the program effective. Random testing will only occur if a large enough percentage of players test positive in the survey year, and no testing will occur for illegal drugs other than steroids.
In the final program, all players will be randomly tested for ''Schedule III'' anabolic androgenic steroids in 2003 as a “survey.” If 5 percent or more players within the league test positive in 2003 or any future survey year, mandatory random testing for illegal steroids shall take place during the following two years. In those consecutive years, if 2.5 percent or fewer test positive mandatory random testing will cease and in any year in which there is not mandatory random testing, survey testing will occur. A player will be placed in treatment the first time he tests positive, and consequences for subsequent positive tests range from a 30-day suspension to a two-year suspension. The current agreement is in effect until 2006.
