NFL Players Accept New Drug Policy

Last month the NFL Players Association (NFLPA) accepted a revised drug policy for substances of abuse and performance enhancing drugs (PEDs).

The most significant changes include human growth hormone testing, increasing the threshold of a positive marijuana test, rules for DUI suspensions, and arbitration for appeals under the substance and PED abuse policies (Ackerman, 2014). The independent arbitrator will be selected, appointed, and paid by the NFLPA (Brown, 2014).

According to Forbes writer Maury Brown, amphetamine use during the off-season without a therapeutic use exemption (TUE) “will now be evaluated under the Substances of Abuse policy” (2014). During the season, a positive amphetamine use test without a TUE will be considered a violation of the PED policy.

While these new policies were accepted, they have not yet been formally approved. The president of the NFLPA, Erin Winston, stated “This is an historic moment for our players and our league. We have collectively bargained drug policies that will keep the game clean and safe, but provide our players with an unprecedented level of fairness and transparency” (Ackerman, 2014).

References

Ackerman, M. (2014). NFL players union accepts revised drug control policy. Retrieved from http://www.thefix.com/content/nfl-players-union-accepts-revised-drug-policy

Brown, M. (2014). From pot to DUI to amphetamines: Union for NFL players approve changes to drug policy. Retrieved from http://www.forbes.com/sites/maurybrown/2014/09/12/from-pot-to-dui-to-amphetamines-union-for-nfl-players-approve-changes-to-drug-policy/