Drugs Policy

Position Statement

The World Eight-ball Pool Federation (WEPF) condemns the use of declared banned substances and doping practices, it is contrary to the ethics of the sport and potentially harmful to the health of athletes. The WEPF Doping Policy aims to deter Doping Practices by making those found to have engaged in a doping practice liable to effective sanctions.

Persons and/or Bodies may be liable to be investigated and disciplined under the terms of this Policy. In doing so, the person (or Bodies) privacy will be given reasonable and appropriate consideration.

Doping Practice

The Policy applies to WEPF Members, Affiliates, Officials, employees of the WEPF, including any person receiving financial or other assistance through the WEPF and others having access to WEPF facilities which do not have their own doping policy. Note: Children will have a parent, guardian or other suitable adult present when tested.

For the purpose of this Policy a Doping Practice is :

  • the taking of substances or use of methods as referred to on the WEPF list of Doping Classes and Methods
  • the taking of declared 'banned substances'
  • refusal or failure to provide a test sample when requested by a drug testing officer recognised by the WEPF
  • Assisting, or being involved in a doping practice.

Hearings and Investigations

A person or Body alleged to have been involved in a doping practice has a right to a hearing.
Where the WEPF receives information that a breach of its policy may have occurred, the WEPF may :

  • notify any persons concerned of the intention of the WEPF to conduct an inquiry.
  • suspend financial or other assistance to those concerned.
  • invite such persons to attend and be heard by the Appointed Committee, and to indicate why the sanctions prescribed in this Doping Policy should not be applied.
  • impose a temporary suspension upon the player pending the outcome of a hearing.

Notification

Those concerned, and the WEPF will be advised of the decision of the committee in writing.
Other agencies may be advised of the decision of the committee as the WEPF determines is appropriate.

Sanctions

Where someone is found in breach of the policy, for the duration of a sanction, the person will :

  • not be eligible to represent their country.
  • be banned from competing in any events and competitions conducted by, or under the auspices of the WEPF.
  • have awards, placings and records won from the date of the doping practice withdrawn.
  • all matches won, after a positive sample is taken, will be deemed to have been lost. All Matches played at a 'Declared Major Event' will be deemed lost.
  • not be eligible to hold any office in the WEPF or Affiliated bodies.

Sanctions will apply to individuals for the following periods. At a 'Declared Major Event' :

  • a minimum suspension of two years for the first breach.
  • life ban on a subsequent breach.

Breaches other than at 'Declared Major Events' a lesser suspension may be imposed. The minimum penalty being :

  • first offence - six month suspension from the date of the incident
  • Subsequent offence - two year suspension.

Team Sanctions

The WEPF recognises that actions of team members in a doping practice may result in penalties affecting the team. The team is not disqualified, they may continue after game and match scores are amended.

Procedures

Where a person or group fails to assist in a hearing prior to the time and date set for the hearing. The WEPF may examine the matter, make a determination & impose sanctions in their absence.

The WEPF will be provided with the facts, the decision & sanctions applied. The WEPF will inform the person or body of the decision in writing. The WEPF shall also advise the body to which the person belongs, any other organisation or person the WEPF determines has a need to know.

The WEPF accepts the doping definition of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the doping definitions of the IOC Medical Commission based on the banning of pharmacological classes of agents. The definition has the advantage that new drugs, some of which may be especially designed for doping purposes, are banned.

Stimulants increase alertness, reduce fatigue and may increase competitiveness and hostility. Their use can also produce loss of judgement, which may lead to accidents in others in some sports. There is no medical justification for use of 'amphetamines' in sport.

Some substances are often present in cold and hay fever preparations which can be purchased in pharmacies and sometimes from other retail outlets without the need for medical prescription.

THUS NO PRODUCT FOR USE IN COLDS, FLU OR HAYFEVER PURCHASED BY A COMPETITOR OR GIVEN TO HIM OR HER SHOULD BE USED WITHOUT FIRST CHECKING WITH A DOCTOR OR PHARMACIST THAT THE PRODUCT DOES NOT CONTAIN A DRUG OF THE BANNED STIMULANTS CLASS.

Beta2 agonists
Medication used in the treatment of asthma and respiratory ailments have posed problems. Some substances administered quite frequently are prohibited because they are considered as stimulants.

The IOC Medical Commission has reviewed the therapeutic indications for the use of beta-blocking drugs and noted there is now a wide range of effective alternative preparations available in order to control hypertension, cardiac arrythmias, angina pectoris and migraine. Due to continued misuse of beta-blockers in some sports where physical activity is of no or little importance, the IOC Medical Commission reserves the right to test those sports which it deems appropriate. These are unlikely to include endurance events which necessitate prolonged periods of high cardiac output and larger stores of metabolic substrates in which beta-blockers would severely decrease performance capacity.

Marijuana is a banned substance. Any person who records a positive test result will be in breach of this doping policy.

NOTE: SOME MARIJUANA USERS MAY RECORD A POSITIVE READING UP TO ONE MONTH AFTER LAST USING THIS SUBSTANCE.

Should any player have any concerns about any medication they are using they should obtain medical advice. It is the player’s responsibility to ensure they are not breaching this policy. When a person is required to supply a sample of urine they are required to detail all medication they have taken in the previous three days.

The WEPF acknowledges the health of members is of the highest priority. However, where alternative medication is able to be prescribed, which is not in breach of this policy, the WEPF strongly promotes the alternative medication to be used. If players have any concerns about medication they are taking, it is advisable to contact the WEPF.

TESTING
The World Eight-ball Pool Federation shall have the right to drug test any player participating in any competition conducted under the auspices of the WEPF. In particular whilst in attendance at Declared Major Events as mention previously in the policy.

A player may be tested on more than one occasion at the one event.

In relation to marijuana it should be noted. Players who regularly use this drug may test positive up to 4 weeks after their last use. The WEPF strongly suggest you bring this to the attention of all players.

WEPF Policy on Drugs

How it works : a Brief Summary

Officials will not be tested but may breach the 'drugs policy' if they assist or are involved in a doping practice.

After the decision is made a 'Drug Testing Officer' is given written notice to test certain players. The player is formally advised of the requirement to supply a urine sample and he/she is asked if they want someone else present while they supply their sample. The test is conducted in an appropriate location. The Drug Testing Officer is required to watch the actual filling of the container. The sample is divided into two parts. Some paperwork is completed. The samples (A & B) are sealed in two separate tamperproof bags. The A sample is conveyed to an analyst and analysed. If the test is positive the player has the right to have the B sample tested, at his expense, in his presence. If a player is tested and records a positive result, they are able to have their say before a hearing. Any hearing is conducted by a Committee of three people appointed by the president of the WEPF. A player required to attend a hearing is given written notice of such requirement. At the hearing the player has :

  • the opportunity to have his say, ask questions of those involved, and/or have some other person present
  • the right to be legally represented.
Failure to attend a hearing may result in it taking place in the player’s absence.

Every effort would be made to protect the player’s right to natural justice.

Any person found to have breached the policy may be suspended by the WEPF for a period of 2 years.

Any person recording a positive result is liable to a temporary suspension pending the outcome of a hearing.

Players found to have breached the policy are eligible to appeal the decision if they have new and relevant information to put before the committee.

SOME IMPORTANT POINTS TO CONSIDER.
Some prescribed and 'over the counter' medications may cause a positive result to be recorded. If this does occur, the policy contains a provision in relation to Inadvertent Breaches. A Caution may be given if this occurs.
Again it is stressed that a player may test positive in relation to marijuana up to 4 weeks after their last use.
Any player present in a room or other location where someone else is using drugs may be in breach of the policy. In essence, keep well away from anyone if they are doing the wrong thing.