Nevada Commission approves changes to drug policy, including 3-year ban for steroid users
The Nevada State Athletic Commission approved a sweeping change to their penalties and suspensions in regards to drug use by athletes who compete in the state.
The commission had been discussing for several months the possibility of increasing suspensions and fines for combat sports athletes who are caught using performance enhancing drugs as well as other illegal substances as determined by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
Following a long debate about the new policy, the commission handed down unanimous approval of the new guidelines that are expected to go into effect September 1, 2015, assuming the language can be added to their code by the State Attorney General by that time.
The new guidelines are as follows for athletes who test positive for the following substances along with the potential penalties and percentage of amount for fines that can be enforced by the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC):
SEDATIVES, MUSCLE RELAXANTS, SLEEP AIDS, ANXIOLYTICS, OPIATES, CANNABIS
DIURETICS BEING USED TO CUT WEIGHT
STIMULANTS (COCAINE, AMPHETAMINES, ETC)
ANABOLIC STEROIDS (INCLUDES TESTOSTERONE, HGH, ETC)
AVOIDING DETECTION (RUNNING FROM A TEST, DECLINING TO TAKE DRUG TEST)
Another major change that was also implemented today by the NSAC was approval to move diuretics used for weight cutting and stimulants to the banned substances list at all times. Previously, those substances were only banned during competition, but now, just like steroids, if a fighter tests positive for them at any time, they can be fined and suspended.
The commission also voted unanimously to change the rules in regards to the outcome of a bout when a fighter tests positive for banned substances.
Under the new rules, if a fighter tests positive for a banned substance the result of their bout is changed to a loss instead of a no contest. So, if a fighter tests positive and wins their bout, it will now be changed to a loss. The losing fighter in that same contest would still have their result changed to a no contest.
The commission also voted unanimously to handle each offense on a case-by-case basis with the suspensions and fines to be determined for every individual separately and these new guidelines are not automatically implemented if a fighter tests positive for a banned substance.
The NSAC will also reach out to other athletic commissions to speak to them about the new policies implemented with more states possibly adapting similar rules and regulations at some point in the future.
These new changes dramatically alter the course of combat sports in regards to performance enhancing drug use, as well as drug use in general. The new guidelines are close to what the UFC wanted to implement when they first introduced their new drug testing program back in February.
"I really thank everybody because I think that we've just taken this commission to a whole new level," NSAC chairman Francisco Aguilar said as the meeting was wrapping up.
For the first time in history, repeat offenders can now receive a lifetime ban, as well as losing every dime of a fight purse, which is an unprecedented change from past rules and regulations handed down by the Nevada commission. The new rules will go into effect on September 1 for all sports handled by the commission, which include both boxing and mixed martial arts.
