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Adult Powerlifting Substance Abuse Program

Drug Policy | Consent Waivers

Drug Testing Status Update

During the period of 1 September 2002 to 1 September 2003, AAU Powerlifting conducted 86 drug tests. Of these, 30 were done in competition and 56 were done out of competition. This is based on testing 10 per cent of our adults during prior period of 1 September 2001 to 1 September 2002. With a total membership base of 1562 lifters for the above period, next year's period will include more drug testing.

The AAU Powerlifting Committee (AAUPC) has once again revised its Substance Abuse Program. The AAUPC wishes to reaffirm its dedication to the ideal of fair and equitable competition at all sanctioned events and wishes to uphold Article 303.2.5 of the Amateur Athletic Unions Code Book. So that no one athlete might have an artificially induced advantage, so that no one athlete might be pressured to use chemical substances in order to remain competitive and to help safeguard the health and safety of participants.

Important Changes

To protect the integrity of the testing process, the AAUPC has outsourced certain critical functions to independent organizations with experience in the field of drug testing. The selection of participants for collection of samples and analysis of test samples will be preformed independent of AAUPC.

Waiver and Consent Forms

All athletes must sign “Waiver and Consent” forms in order to compete. When you sign in at an AAU Powerlifting sanctioned meet you will be asked to read, understand and sign the “Waiver and Consent” forms to demonstrate your understanding of the program and willingness to participate in it. By signing these forms, you release, discharge and covenant not to sue the AAUPC and the AAU and other related parties as listed on the form.

Process

• An independent agency selects athletes for testing using either its own technology for selection or the AAUPC point system. The AAUPC point system rates athletes based on performance. It is described in the Substance Abuse Program Policy in full. The AAUPC has no involvement in the process. A selection may be made any time during the year. It is important to remember that all athletes are eligible for testing. The point system only serves to identify the better performing athletes.

   

• If you are selected you will be given notice of selection. You will be given instructions as to what to do and what you may bring with you. Read the instructions carefully.
  

   

• * You will be given a notice during the rules briefing at a AAUPC sanctioned meet, a twelve (12) hour notice, both of which the collection agency will come to you, or a five (5) day notice in which you must report to the agency. If for some reason you can't report when asked, please call the AAUPC national office for instructions.

  * If you do not understand something, you may call the collection agency or the AAUPC national with your questions.

  * The collection agency and the laboratory are completely independent of the AAUPC and the AAU. You must comply with their instructions during the testing process.

  * Please be sure to bring any prescriptions you may be taking with you so that they may be properly noted.

  * Remember you may bring a witness with you. Please note that the witness may be asked to read and understand any documents involved in the testing and to confirm in writing that they have done so.

• During testing, only the athlete, the witness and the agencies representative may be present. Two samples will be taken.

• When the results are available they will be given first to the AAUPC Substance Abuse Committee Chair.

  
   

Appeals

If you are notified of a positive test for a banned substance, you may either a) accept the findings and any resulting penalties or b) request that the second sample be tested (at athlete's expense). If you have a second sample tested and if it yields a positive result for a banned substance and you wish to contest the matter, you must follow the hearings and appeals process of the AAU Code Book.

A copy of this program and list of banned substances are available on the AAU Powerlifting web page at: www.aausports.org . If you have questions regarding the program you may call Harry Halverstadt at 530-676-9729 or via e-mail at: hcwzkds@sbcglobal.net If you have a question regarding the inclusion of a substance in the program you may call the Resource Exchange Center toll free at 877-202-0769 or 816-474-7312. If you wish to go on line go to: www.drugfreesport.com/rec , you will need the password: recaau.

Suspicion Selection

Nothing in this policy shall prevent or limit AAU Powerlifting from requiring its members to submit to testing when there is individual suspicion to do so. For the purposes of this section, individual suspicion shall be defined as behavior, conduct or performance by the AAU Powerlifting member, which leads the AAUPC in its sole discretion to conclude that there is the likelihood that the member is taking, has taken or is under the influence of a banned substance (as defined by policy). The indicators that may be used in evaluating a members behavior, conduct or performance, include but are not limited to: increased injury rate or illness, changes in physical appearance, changes in emotional condition, significant mood changes, significant increase or decrease in levels of performance, admitting use of a banned substance to others and legal involvement, i.e., criminal charges or pending criminal investigation. Individual suspicion may be based on objective and reliable information received that a member is taking, has taken, or is under the influence of a banned substance. The AAUPC in its sole discretion will make the determination as to whether individual suspicion exists so as to require a member to submit to testing. In such cases, the amount of notice to be given will be determined by the AAUPC, in its sole discretion, based upon a case by case basis.

This summary is intended to provide general information about the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) Adult Powerlifting Substance Abuse Program. It is a summary only and does not provide all the information included in the actual Substance Abuse Program policy. Please refer to the complete policy on the AU web-site for complete details.

Please refer to the Policyfor complete details.