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[notrightn0w]

Due to the growing problem of illegal drug use in combative sports, the California State Athletic Commission has decided to expand the number of drugs they test for to now include both MDMA (ecstasy) and Oxycodone (Oxycontin, Percocet, etc.) with the testing to begin immediately.

The CSAC recently released the statistics for athletes testing positive in the combat sports with an alarming amount of competitors testing positive for illegal drugs.

The commission’s report combines the sports of mixed martial arts, boxing and kickboxing and the numbers totaled 51 violations from 3/31/07 to 11/16/07.

Of the 51 violations, 31 of them were for positive tests with drugs of abuse including marijuana, cocaine, methamphetamine, amphetamines, methadone and morphine.

17 of the violations were positive tests for steroids.

Two mixed martial artists, Adam Smith and Jason Winther, actually tested positive for multiple violations of both drugs of abuse and performing enhancing substances.

According the release from Bill Douglas, a representative of the CSAC, the commission is also discussing with their lab the possibility of testing for human growth hormone and insulin growth factor.

http://www.mmaweekly.com/absolutenm/...5192&zoneid=13


I find it interesting that Steroids isn't as big of a problem as we're lead to believe it is. I was almost 100% sure that the amount of fighters on steroids would be higher than those on recreational drugs. Boy was I wrong, it's nearly double on the recreational side. I guess the fact Franca and Sherk both tested positive after their war really skewed things.

I'm also surprised they haven't added Pro-Wrestling to that list, everyone's been coming down on them apparently.

[notrightn0w]

Originally Posted by Ramma

Pro wrestling isn't sanctioned by anything.. it wouldn't be included.

17 steroid violations is still a lot.. that is just in the CSAC by the way (or so I think)

It is, but the fact that recreational drugs is so much higher is a shock to me. I'm not sure if it is or isn't just in the CSAC, but I know thats where the brunt of the suspensions have been handed down from, I would imagine the number being less elsewhere.

BTW, my apologies for the mistake, I didn't know wrestling wasn't sanctioned. I haven't followed it in years and I remember the WCW talking about Sanctioned and Unsanctioned events back in my childhood. Probably one of those angles.

[iverbure]

anything that involves more testing for a expanded list of drugs sounds good to me.

I would like to see them start testing everyone however i realize this costs a lot of money, so i am not totally sure where the money comes from to pay for that but in order for them to make up some of the costs they could increase the fines.

[Noob]

I like the idea, but hasn't CSAC shown themselves to be so completely unqualified to do their jobs that this statement means, well, nothing?

[Buggedoutnicy]

Originally Posted by Noob

I like the idea, but hasn't CSAC shown themselves to be so completely unqualified to do their jobs that this statement means, well, nothing?

i thought the same exact thing

[baba]

Originally Posted by iverbure

anything that involves more testing for a expanded list of drugs sounds good to me.

I would like to see them start testing everyone however i realize this costs a lot of money, so i am not totally sure where the money comes from to pay for that but in order for them to make up some of the costs they could increase the fines.

drug testing is pretty damn inexpensive these days -- relatively speaking. i've heard figures ranging from $45-$250 per screening.

[Happypants]

I would like to see them actually get a decent and reliable testing system before they try and conquer the sport with their anti-drug policies. If you ask me, there system is a giant mess right now.

I could also care less about some of the drugs they are testing for. I guess as a professional athlete you have to accept that the sport is going to have implication for your personal life.

[Noob]

They need to fix their in-house problems before starting any overly ambitious attempts at increased drug testing.


I would not feel very comfortable putting my career into the hands of CSAC considering the things that have come out about them. Even less comfortable if they start over-reaching with their policy decisions.