New drug testing policy close to agreement

[R.J]

http://www.winnipegsun.com/2015/10/13/cfl-close-to-a-solution-on-drug-testing

Very happy to hear about this, especially happy to hear that the CFL and CCES are getting back together. One thing that has disappointed through this whole process is that it's taken this long to reach a new deal. The CCES wasn't wrong in their assessment of what was wrong with the CFL's drug policy, maybe the info shouldn't have been leaked, but IMO the League should have picked up it's big kid pants and done the right thing in quick order.

[argonaut11xx]

Honestly i dont care about steroids,or any kind of drug...let them play.

Im with Tbone on the drug issue, legalize everything, tax it, and leave it up to the individual to decide what they put in their own bodies.

["Issues"Mcgee]

I disagree. Pro athletes are paid to work hard and better themselves through training and practice. Performance enhancing drugs degrade the integrity of any athlete who uses them. Besides, if you legalize every performance enhancer, that automatically gives an unfair advantage to the athletes who are paid more and have more money to burn. In general, athletes are paid good money to do what they love, so in my humble opinion they better damn well earn it legitimately. Legalizing PED's would suddenly mean that on-field success would be determined primarily by who can crank the most and that goes against everything sport stands for.

Aside from the moral aspect, performance enhancers are dangerous not just to the athletes that take them, but their loved ones as well. Steroids often destroy the human body's ability to produce testosterone, which can cause a slew of problems I need not get into. Many people who take steroids also become emotionally unstable (I've seen this happen). Now a good portion of football players are pretty hot-headed as it is, allowing them to take PED's freely would just make the situation ten times worse. You would see more erratic behavior, more arrests, more spousal abuse and more fights on and off the field.

There are many MMA fighters who have horror stories regarding the use of PED's, as it continues to be a serious problem in the sport. Many of the stories are eyeopening reads.

[R.J]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CFL?src=hash">#CFL</a> &amp; <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CFLPA?src=hash">#CFLPA</a> are very close to an agreement on a new drug testing policy. Could be an announcement as early as tomorrow.</p>&mdash; Farhan Lalji (@FarhanLaljiTSN) <a href="https://twitter.com/FarhanLaljiTSN/status/670309767420780544">November 27, 2015</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CFL?src=hash">#CFL</a> has crafted a new drug policy but I'm told players want some concessions. Aren't likely to get them.</p>&mdash; Paul Friesen (@friesensunmedia) <a href="https://twitter.com/friesensunmedia/status/670250748874088448">November 27, 2015</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CFL?src=hash">#CFL</a> was determined to address ALL concerns of CCES and WADA in new policy. Wants pressure turned to players now. Your move, CFLPA.</p>&mdash; Paul Friesen (@friesensunmedia) <a href="https://twitter.com/friesensunmedia/status/670251250206703621">November 27, 2015</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Old <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CFL?src=hash">#CFL</a> drug policy lacked in 3 key areas: stiff penalties for 1st time offenders, public disclosure and independent results management.</p>&mdash; Paul Friesen (@friesensunmedia) <a href="https://twitter.com/friesensunmedia/status/670252395742400512">November 27, 2015</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I'm told <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CFL?src=hash">#CFL</a> has put everything into the new policy that was lacking. We can only guess which area players are resisting.</p>&mdash; Paul Friesen (@friesensunmedia) <a href="https://twitter.com/friesensunmedia/status/670252894298312704">November 27, 2015</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CFL?src=hash">#CFL</a> commish J Orridge confirms the Cdn Ctr for Ethics in Sport is at least &quot;comsulting&quot; on new drug policy.</p>&mdash; Paul Friesen (@friesensunmedia) <a href="https://twitter.com/friesensunmedia/status/670268494533947393">November 27, 2015</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">But commish stopped short of saying a new <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CFL?src=hash">#CFL</a> policy will at least match the NFL&#39;s for 1st-time offenders, ie suspensions.</p>&mdash; Paul Friesen (@friesensunmedia) <a href="https://twitter.com/friesensunmedia/status/670268926513668096">November 27, 2015</a></blockquote>
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[Argo57]

Honestly i dont care about steroids,or any kind of drug...let them play.

Im with Tbone on the drug issue, legalize everything, tax it, and leave it up to the individual to decide what they put in their own bodies.

I do, don't want some jacked up cartoon characters playing pro sports, sets a crappy example for young kids watching IMO, also don't want my 12 year old thinking he has to take steroids (with all inherent health risks as well) to achieve his goals.

[AngeloV]

Still have to wonder how much testing there will be. These tests are rather expensive, and although times are better, the league isn't exactly rolling in the dough. IMO, the CFL was unfairly singled out by the testing company. I'm willing to bet the NHL players are worse offenders than CFL, and they never get anyone suspended.

[R.J]

Finally we're getting somewhere. Hopefully the PA gets something done with the league soon.
http://www.tsn.ca/cfl-implements-anti-doping-rules-for-draft-1.443539


- An individual who incurs an anti-doping rule violation pursuant to the Canadian Anti-Doping Program (CADP) or who tests positive for a substance banned under the CFL drug policy in the year of his CFL Draft, or the immediate year prior to his CFL Draft, will have his Draft year deferred for one year.

- An individual who, having gone through the CFL Draft, whether drafted or undrafted, subsequently incurs an anti-doping rule violation pursuant to the CADP or who tests positive for a substance banned under the CFL drug policy, would be ineligible to sign a contract with a CFL team for one (1) calendar year after the individual tests positive or incurs an anti-doping rule violation as referenced above.

- An individual who is ineligible for the CFL Draft (i.e. Canadian Junior Football League player or International Canadian Interuniversity Sport, National Collegiate Athletic Association, National Football League player or any other athlete from another sport) and who incurs an anti-doping rule violation pursuant to the CADP or pursuant to any other drug testing program or who tests positive for a substance banned under the CFL drug policy, would be ineligible to sign a contract with a CFL team for one (1) calendar year after the individual tests positive or incurs an anti-doping rule violation as referenced above.

"We are taking these important steps today to ensure that there is a level playing field for all athletes entering the CFL," said CFL Commissioner Jeffrey Orridge in a statement. "We are also hopeful that the CFLPA can continue to work with us to establish a new drug testing program for all CFL players that is meaningful and effective."

"The CFLPA takes the total health and safety of our members very seriously and we are eager to continue progressive discussions," added CFLPA President Scott Flory. "A policy to prevent and deter the use of Performance Enhancing Drugs is seen as one of the critical components of the overall health and safety of players."

Link from the league website as well.
http://www.cfl.ca/2016/02/25/cfl-makes-changes-to-draft-eligibility-rules/

[R.J]

Finally ! Though I'm not crazy about it only being for 2016. Better than nothing I suppose. Also very happy to hear the CCES is back on board.
http://www.cfl.ca/2016/04/21/cfl-cflpa-agree-new-drug-policy-2016-season/


Players who test positive will face a two game suspension for a first doping violation, a nine game suspension for a second violation, a one year suspension for a third violation, and a lifetime ban for a fourth violation.

Violations will be publicly disclosed once all appeals have been exhausted. Under the previous policy, a first positive test result was kept confidential.

[ArgoGabe22]

Weed is not a banned substance. It seems to be a hot topic.

[ArgoRavi]

Weed is not a banned substance. It seems to be a hot topic.

I don't see where it would be a performance-enhancing substance. My understanding is that many football players use it for pain relief.

[R.J]

I don't see where it would be a performance-enhancing substance. My understanding is that many football players use it for pain relief.
The problem is the players that use it recreationally. It'll be legal soon here in Canada, so oh well.

[ArgoRavi]

The problem is the players that use it recreationally. It'll be legal soon here in Canada, so oh well.

So what if they do use it recreationally, like so many use alcohol? It still doesn't enhance performance. And, for the record, I have never used this drug in my life and hate the smell of it but it is time to stop criminalizing it when it probably does much less damage than a legal drug like alcohol.

[AngeloV]

So what if they do use it recreationally, like so many use alcohol? It still doesn't enhance performance. And, for the record, I have never used this drug in my life and hate the smell of it but it is time to stop criminalizing it when it probably does much less damage than a legal drug like alcohol.

I'm in the same boat as you Ravi. I too have never touched pot, but know people that smoke it, and trust me when I say this, they function way better after smoking a joint than many people I know do after a couple of drinks.

[jerrym]

So what if they do use it recreationally, like so many use alcohol? It still doesn't enhance performance. And, for the record, I have never used this drug in my life and hate the smell of it but it is time to stop criminalizing it when it probably does much less damage than a legal drug like alcohol.

The one hundred year so-called war on drugs has been a disaster in terms of reducing drug usage. Studies clearly show that the fines and prison time have been overwhelmingly imposed on non-whites and the poor, although drug use is approximately equal across racial and social classes. On the other hand, long-term education on the its harms has greatly reduced the percentage of the population who smoke cigarettes since the 1970s when nearly everyone smoked cigarettes, including nearly everyone I grew up with (I didn't because some older boys forced me to smoke or get beaten up so I promised myself to never get hooked on it). One has only to look at many old movies where smoking was so common.
As to drug use among athletes, I agree that as long as the drugs are not performance enhancing, sports organizations should not enforce penalties for their use.

[AngeloV]

One has only to look at many old movies where smoking was so common.


I always find it amazing watching CFL games from the 60's and 70's, watching coaches actually smoking on the sidelines.

[R.J]

So what if they do use it recreationally, like so many use alcohol? It still doesn't enhance performance. And, for the record, I have never used this drug in my life and hate the smell of it but it is time to stop criminalizing it when it probably does much less damage than a legal drug like alcohol.


I'm in the same boat as you Ravi. I too have never touched pot, but know people that smoke it, and trust me when I say this, they function way better after smoking a joint than many people I know do after a couple of drinks.
Whoops.
Sorry Ravi, didn't mean to make it seem as though I'm against it. My point more so was that the problem is recreational users because of the potential PR nightmare, as players are considered role models and young kids watch pro sports. Which I believe is why it's become such a touchy issue in sports - it's not a performance enhancer, but is viewed as a gateway/bad drug etc.

I personally don't care much for stoners, but I know more than enough people that use it for anxiety or pain, so no biggie to me. The way I see it is if players show up blitzed out of their mind to a game or practice and under perform - they'll most likely get cut if it continues. If the player has it under control and it doesn't effect work or the perception of the team/league negatively, then I have no issue.

[ArgoRavi]

I always find it amazing watching CFL games from the 60's and 70's, watching coaches actually smoking on the sidelines.

I have been watching some games from the late 1970s and early 1980s and Montreal head coach Joe Scannella always seemed to have a cigarette dangling from his mouth. He may have been the last CFL head coach who smoked on the sidelines.

[AngeloV]

I personally don't care much for stoners,

Neither do I. But I don't care much for drunks either, and there never seems to be an issue regarding over consumption of alcohol.

Pot, like drinking, as long as it's done to the level where you aren't buzzed or stoned should be looked at equally IMO.

[R.J]

Neither do I. But I don't care much for drunks either, and there never seems to be an issue regarding over consumption of alcohol.

Pot, like drinking, as long as it's done to the level where you aren't buzzed or stoned should be looked at equally IMO.
I agree. It's all about knowing your limits, heck even drinking too much water can make you sick.

[argolio]

I have been watching some games from the late 1970s and early 1980s and Montreal head coach Joe Scannella always seemed to have a cigarette dangling from his mouth. He may have been the last CFL head coach who smoked on the sidelines.I think that honour may belong to Jackie Parker when he coached the Esks from 83-87.