Please read the following on new guidelines by OSAC effective immediately.
Good Morning Promoters,
We wanted to update you on our current procedures for drug testing amateur and professional competitors. OSAC will conduct random drug tests during boxing / mma events. This is typically done at medicals, but can be done anytime between weigh-in and post-fight medicals. There has been a high percentage of competitors testing positive for Marijuana. One competitor tested positive for methamphetamine, cocaine, amphetamines, and marijuana.
Marijuana is legal in Oregon, however it is a banned substance for competition. So, how does this affect you and what can you expect from OSAC?
OSAC will randomly test a percentage of competitors at every event. The number of tested competitors will depend on the number of scheduled bouts.
If a competitor tests positive for marijuana, is not currently impaired and is cleared by medical personnel to participate, he/she will still be able to compete, but will be subject to fine and/or suspension. Fines and suspensions are progressive and will increase with each violation. This has the least amount of impact to you while still allowing us to meet our mission. Something to consider is if a competitor is fined they will be administratively suspended until the fine is taken care of. This could make it difficult to get competitors at future events if a competitor fails to take care of his fine.
When the outcome of a failed test results in a fine and/or suspension the competitor will be sent a letter detailing their opportunity to challenge the validity of the fine and/or suspension. Once that has worked through the process the fine and/or suspension will go into effect.
If a competitor tests positive for anything other than marijuana they will not be able to compete. The test will be sent to a designated lab for additional testing and verification, and the competitor whom tested positive will be responsible for the cost of this process, fined, and/or suspended.
We encourage you to remind your competitors they should expect to be drug tested. Marijuana stays in the system for quite a while and has surprised a few competitors.
We will also be sending an email to all licensees in Oregon with similar information, but we wanted to give you a heads up first.
As always, if you have any questions or concerns please give us a call.
Thank you,
Sergeant Bob Charpentier
Oregon State Police –
Oregon State Athletic Commission
4190 Aumsville Hwy Se
Salem, Or 97317
Office: 503-378-3577
Cell: 503-877-7990
Fax: 503-378-2530
bcharpe@osp.state.or.us
