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ATV Racin' Extra Proposes
Stringent Substance Abuse Rules
Springville, TN - David and
Jessica Screws, publishers of ATV Racin’ Extra, are
in the formative stages of collecting the data and documentation
necessary to present a comprehensive list of substance abuse
rules to the AMA/ATVA congress for consideration as rule changes
for 2006. After numerous members of the ATV racing family,
especially those involved with the national series’,
expressed their concern and suspicion that drugs were being
used, both on and off the track, it was determined that this
abuse should be stopped in its’ tracks before the problem
became widespread.
"I have first hand knowledge of the pitfalls
of drug abuse." stated publisher David Screws. "I
am a recovering and reformed addict and alcoholic who has
been clean and sober for ten years. A few years ago, I would
have been ashamed to tell people what I’d been through,
but now, I know that my past addiction puts me in a place
to let people know how dangerous any and all drug abuse can
be. There are absolutely no good things that can come from
drug abuse, regardless of how minor one’s use might
be."
Screws added, "To hear that drug abuse
has possibly infiltrated our sport concerns me and a whole
lot of other people. The racing world is no place for drugs
and a zero tolerance policy should be implemented which deals
out severe penalties for anyone associated with ATV racing
caught using a controlled substance or a performance enhancing
drug. We can’t afford to have our sport’s image
tarnished at this time when public recognition is growing
and factory support is on the upswing."
ATV Racin’ Extra is currently seeking
information from various scientific and legal sources which
will enable the development of a set of rules specifically
designed to fit the needs of the ATV racing community. Included
in their proposal will be rules governing the selection of
persons who exhibit reasonable suspicion of drug abuse, mandatory
testing, procedures for the collection of laboratory samples,
handling of these samples, testing of these samples, results
notification and a stringent set of penalties for those found
to be in violation of these rules.
"This is a problem we just can’t
afford to deny." Screws said in addition. "With
more and more money being funneled into our sport, the pressure
for talented racers to perform increases, and... with this
pressure comes the possibility that someone may turn to drugs
to give themselves an edge over the competition. It happens
in other sports more frequently than we know and we would
be naive and irresponsible to deny that this problem exist
within our sport."
On a related note, ATV Racin' Extra has learned
through an AMA/ATVA representative that the possibility exist
for random drug testing to be carried out this year before
the end of the national season.
Anyone who would like to assist ATV Racin’
Extra in its’ effort to establish a stringent substance
abuse policy for ATV racing should contact: ATV Racin’
Extra / David & Jessica Screws / Ph: 731-644-0534 / Fax:
731-644-3803 / Email: info@atvracinextra.com
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Substance
Abuse Policy Outline |
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1. |
Considered placement
should be in Chapter 2 - Riders & Eligibility
of the Amateur Rule Book and/or the ATVA Supplemental
Rules. |
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2. |
The policy and rules should apply
to all contestants in AMA/ATVA sanctioned events
(including Pro ATV participants). |
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3. |
If it is found that due to legal
problems that amateurs could not be held to this
policy, then the policy should be directed to the
Pro ATV participants. |
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4. |
If it is found that in order for
a substance abuse policy to be viable for Pro ATV
racers that they would have to possess a Pro Racing
License, then, in order for a racer to participate
in the Pro ATV class they would have to be licensened
by the AMA/ATVA for a fee determined by congress
and sign a Pro licenses agreement which included
the substance abuse policy. |
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5. |
Policy:
- In order to maintain the integrity of AMA/ATVA sanctioned
events, the afore mentioned groups shall prohibit
the use of any and all forms of "controlled substances"
and "performance enchacing drugs" by any
participant in any sanctioned event. Included in the
performance enhancing policy, it should be noted that
any and all forms of "intrevenous rehydration"
would be prohibited. (See Chapter 3-Race Rules / Sections
D & E of the 2005 AMA Motorcross Championship
& AMA THQ Supercross Series rules and regulations
)
- Testing shall be conducted on a random basis at
the disgression of event officials and under certain
circumstances can, and will, be conducted under a
clause of "reasonable suspision". (Such
as: If it is deemed necessary by an event official,
any participant can be asked to submit to testing
due to behavior resulting in a reasonable suspicion
of controlled substance abuse and/or performance enhancing
drug abuse.)
- Sample collection shall be carried out by a trained
AMA/ATVA official and/or certified lab testing official.
- If this form of sample collection would not be appropriate
and/or fesiable, then certified lab officials would
be called upon to preform the collection of samples.
- All samples shall be collected, stored and handled
in accordance with the certified labs requirements
and delivered to the certified testing lab in accordance
with their stipulations.
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6. |
Penalties:
- Any violation of this policy or the refusal to submit
to testing would result in immediate suspension from
participation in AMA/ATVA sanctioned events and, in
regard to Pros, would result in the immediate cancellation
of their license.
- After a designated period of time, if the person
found in violation of these substance abuse policies
appealed to return to AMA/ATVA competition, that person
would be required to submit, at their own expense,
proof positive that they have corrected their substance
abuse problem and have been clean and free of all
substances for a designated period of time.
- They would have to file this appeal in accordance
with current appeals rules and pay all incurred fees.
- It would be at the disgression of AMA/ATVA officials
to accept, or reject, the suspended participants appeal.
- If it is found that the suspended person appeal
is acceptable, that person would be subject to participation,
if granted, under a stringent "probationary period"
for a period of time determined by congress.
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ATV Racin' Extra
147 Branch Road
Springville, TN 38256
731-644-0534
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