WWE's drug policy

[Guest Dangerous A]

Here it is....

 

 

Effective today, February 27, 2006, WWE is implementing a broad WWE Talent Wellness Program. The Program has two components: 1. an aggressive substance abuse and drug testing policy, and 2. a cardiovascular testing and monitoring program.

 

The Substance Abuse and Drug Testing Policy (?Policy?) prohibits the non-medical use and associate abuse of prescription medications and performance-enhancing drugs, as well as the use, possession and/or distribution of illegal drugs by WWE Talent. The use of masking agents and/or diuretics to conceal or obscure the use of prohibited drugs is also prohibited. This Policy will be administered by Dr. David L. Black, Ph.D., D-ABFT, D-ABCC, of Aegis Sciences Corporation, Nashville, Tennessee. Dr. Black will be responsible for scheduling Talent for testing, administering collection of samples, coordinating secure shipment of samples to the testing facility, determining whether any WWE Talent has tested positive and directing the appropriate penalty be imposed.

 

Under the Policy, WWE Talent may be tested on a random and/or reasonable suspicion basis. The initial test of all Talent will be considered "baseline" testing. No discipline will be imposed for a positive test on the baseline test. The results of the baseline test, if positive for any prohibited substance, will be utilized thereafter by Dr. Black to determine if use has continued. After the baseline test, subsequent positive tests for non-medical use of a prohibited substance will result in disciplinary action. For testing positive the first time, a Talent will be suspended for 30 days without pay. A second positive test results in a 60 day suspension without pay or, if Dr. Black so determines, in-patient care at a substance abuse facility, during which the Talent also will be suspended without pay. A third positive test results in termination.

 

The cardiovascular aspect of the wellness program will be handled by New York Cardiology Associates P.C., led by Drs. Post and Feuerbach. Under this aspect of the Program, all WWE Talent will undergo an extensive cardiovascular stress test. Examinations and treatment will be conducted thereafter as warranted.

 

Thoughts and/or feelings?

[Mad Dog]

Eh, I see some undercard nothings getting suspended over this. Possibly some guys they want to get rid of not passing the test. I don't buy this anymore than just window dressing.

 

They should've tacked on a health care program.

[Guest savagerulz]

I'll believe it when somebody who isn't in the midst of a contract dispute tests positive.

[Guest Cam Chaos]

I've got a feeling that the people that pass the roid test probably won't pass the cardio test. So, may be over for Trevor Murdoch, Bradshaw, Boogeyman and Big Show... or not, depending how serious they are about implementing it. Thinking about it, Boogeyman probably won't pass either.

[sek69]

Just because someone's on the fat side doesn't mean they're going to fail a cardio test.

 

Hell, if they really are serious about the drug testing, a lot of guys are going to start looking like JBL and Trevor Murdoch anyway.

[sek69]

Also, I predict HHH will get a prescription for whatever he's been using, using his quad tear as an excuse.

[Mad Dog]

I predict that HHH will be exempt from the testing.

[Slasher]

HHH probably will get tested to show the others what a company man he is. Then not so shockingly, he passes. And somewhere CM Punk would be counting his money.

[Guest Dangerous A]

More detailed policy...

 

 

WORLD WRESTLING ENTERTAINMENT, INC.

 

2006 SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND DRUG TESTING POLICY

February 27, 2006

 

1. GENERAL POLICY

 

The non-medical use and associated abuse of prescription medications and performance enhancing drugs, as well as the use, possession and/or distribution of illegal drugs, by WWE Talent are unacceptable and prohibited by this policy, as is the use of masking agents or diuretics taken to conceal or obscure the use of prohibited drugs.

 

 

2. NON-MEDICAL USE

 

For purposes of this Policy, the phrase ?non-medical use? shall mean use of a drug by a WWE Talent for other than a legitimate medical purpose pursuant to a valid prescription from a licensed and treating physician. Prescriptions obtained over the internet and/or from suppliers of prescription drugs from the internet shall not be considered to have been given for a legitimate medical purpose.

 

 

3. LIST OF PROHIBITED DRUGS

 

A. Performance Enhancing Drugs

 

(1) Anabolic Androgenic Steroids (AAS): The non-medical use of anabolic androgenic steroids, which include and are based on the natural steroid Testosterone, is prohibited.

 

The list of prohibited AAS includes, but is not limited to, those on the list below as well as related compounds.

 

▪ androstenediol

▪ androstendione

▪ bolasterone

▪ boldenone

▪ chloroxomesterone (dehydrochlormethyltestosterone)

▪ clostebol

▪ dihydroepiandosterone

▪ dihydrotestosterone

▪ dromostanolone

▪ epitestosterone

▪ 4-chlortestosterone

▪ fluoxymesterone

▪ formebolone

▪ furazabol

▪ mesterolone

▪ methandienone (methandrostenolone)

▪ methandriol

▪ methenolone

▪ methylclostebol

▪ methyltestosterone

▪ methyltrienolone

▪ mibolerone

▪ nandrolone

▪ norandrostenediol

▪ norandrostenedione

▪ norethandrolone

▪ norethindrone

▪ oxabolone

▪ oxandrolone

▪ oxymesterone

▪ oxymetholone

▪ stanozolol

▪ stenbolone

▪ testosterone

▪ trenbolone

 

(2) Peptide Hormones and Analogues: The non-medical use of Human Growth Hormone (hGH), Human Chorionic Gonadotropin ((hCG), Luetenizing Hormone (LH) and Insulin-like Growth Factor (IGF-1) is prohibited.

 

(3) Clenbuterol, used as an anti-catabolic drug or beta-2 agonist or for any other purpose, is prohibited.

 

B. Other Prohibited Drugs

 

(1) Stimulants. The non-medical use of amphetamine, methamphetamine, Ecstacy (MDMA), Eve (MDEA), MDA, PMA, Phentermine, Ephedrine class and other amphetamine derivatives and related compounds is prohibited.

 

(2) Narcotic Analgesics. The non-medical use of drugs belonging to this class, including, but not limited to, heroin, morphine and/or its chemical and pharmacological analogs and related compounds, is prohibited. Additionally, codeine and codeine based combinations, including those available over the counter in some countries, are considered prohibited drugs if used for a non-medical purpose.

 

(3) Benzodiazepines. The non-medical use of drugs belonging to this class, including, but not limited to, Alpha-hydroxy-alprazolam (Xanax), Lorazepam (Ativan), Nordiazepam (Valium), Oxazepam (Serax), Temazepam (Restoril) and/or chemical and pharmacological analogs and related components is prohibited.

 

(4) Barbiturates. The non-medical use of drugs belonging to this class, including, but not limited to, Amobarbital (Amytal), Butabarbital (Butisol), Butalbital (Anolor 300, Esgic, Fioricet, Fiorinal), Phenobarbital (Luminol, Solfoton), Pentobarbital (Nembutal, Nembutal Sodium), Secobarbital (Seconal) and/or chemical and pharmacological analogs and related components is prohibited.

 

(5) Diuretics. The non-medical use of diuretics, including, but not limited to, those on the list below as well as related compounds, is prohibited.

 

▪ acetozolomide

▪ amiloride

▪ bendroflumethiazide

▪ benzthiazide

▪ bumetanide

▪ canrenone

▪ chlormerodrin

▪ chlorthalidone

▪ diclophenamide

▪ ethacrynic acid

▪ furosemide

▪ hydrochlorothiazide

▪ mersalyl

▪ spironolactone

▪ triamterene

 

(6) Prescription drugs. WWE recognizes that there are many prescription and over-the-counter medications that serve essential or beneficial purposes for the health and well being of WWE Talent, and nothing in this Policy is intended to discourage the proper use of these medications. Conversely, there are some medications that, even when used properly, may affect safety or health and also medications which can be abused and affect safety and health. Accordingly, the following uses are prohibited regarding prescription and over-the-counter medications.

 

(a) The use of such a medication in a manner which is inconsistent with the instructions provided by the prescribing physician.

 

( The use of such a medication so as to cause an increased risk to health, safety or an impairment of ability to perform duties on the day of a WWE Event.

 

? The use of prescription drugs taken without a proper prescription given for a legitimate medical purpose by the personal physician of the person tested.

 

(d) The use of prescription drugs obtained from a physician who was not advised that another physician was prescribing the same and/or similar drug(s).

 

(7) Illegal drugs. The possession, use, and/or distribution of any drug made illegal to possess, use and/or distribute by the laws of the United States of America and/or any of its fifty states is prohibited by this Policy.

 

 

4. MASKING AGENTS AND TECHNIQUES USED TO AVOID DETECTION

 

The use of any agent or technique which is designed to avoid detection of a prohibited drug and/or compromise the integrity of a drug test is prohibited. This includes providing false urine samples (for example, urine substitution), contaminating the urine sample with chemicals or chemical products, the use of diuretics to dilute urine samples, the use of masking agents (such as probenecid and related compounds), and/or the use of epitestosterone either systematically or directly to artificially alter the testosterone/epitestosterone ratio.

 

The use of any such agent or technique shall be treated as a positive test for substances prohibited by this Policy for disciplinary purposes.

 

 

5. ALCOHOL ABUSE

 

The use and/or abuse of alcohol in such a fashion so as to impair the ability to perform is prohibited by this Policy. Talent are expected to be free of the influence of alcohol when performing for WWE. Accordingly, the use of alcohol at any time twelve hours prior to any scheduled performance is prohibited by this Policy.

 

(1) Testing for alcohol use or abuse in violation of this Policy shall be for reasonable cause only as defined in Section 7A.

 

(2) The initial positive test for use and/or abuse of alcohol in violation of this Policy will be treated as a medical issue requiring evaluation for alcohol rehabilitation treatment. All subsequent positive tests for alcohol-related violations of this Policy shall be treated as disciplinary matters in accordance with this Policy.

 

 

6. ADMINISTRATION OF THE POLICY

 

The administration of this Policy is directed by the Program Administrator (PA) for the WWE. The PA shall be David L. Black, Ph.D., D-ABFT, D-ABCC of Aegis Sciences Corporation (?Aegis?), Nashville, Tennessee. The PA shall be responsible for scheduling Talent for testing, administering collection of samples, coordinating secure shipment of samples to the testing facility, interviewing Talent and determining whether any WWE Talent has tested positive for the existence of a prohibited drug and, if so, directing that the appropriate penalty as set forth herein is imposed.

 

 

7. TESTING FOR USE OF PROHIBITED SUBSTANCE

 

A. Reasonable Cause Testing

 

(1) Reasonable Suspicion. WWE may require Talent to submit to a test or tests, including, without limitation, urine, blood, saliva, hair, and/or breath tests, if there exists reasonable suspicion that the Talent has violated any part of this Policy or has diminished ability to perform as a result of using any prohibited substance. Some of the conditions, observations and/or reports that may cause WWE to have such a reasonable suspicion are as follows:

 

(a) When a Talent is found or observed in possession of illegal drugs or illegal drug paraphernalia at any time.

 

( Observation of signs, symptoms and/or behaviors known to accompany the use of prohibited substances including, but not limited to:

 

1. physical signs of red or droopy eyes, dilated or constricted pupils;

 

2. slurred speech, stumbling, or hyperactivity;

 

3. needle marks;

 

4. repeated unexplained disappearances from an Event;

 

5. unexplained lateness in arriving for an Event;

 

6. nose constantly runs, appears red, or persistent sniffling;

 

7. time distortion, including repeated tardiness and missed appointments;

 

8. chronic forgetfulness or broken promises;

 

9. accidents during Events;

 

10. inability to concentrate, remember, or maintain attention;

 

11. mental confusion, paranoia, or presence of abnormal thoughts or ideas;

 

12. violent tendencies, loss of temper, or irritability;

 

13. extreme personality change or mood swings;

 

14. deteriorating personal hygiene or appearance.

 

? A drug related conviction.

 

(d) Receipt of a report from a reliable source that a Talent is using, possessing or selling illegal drugs.

 

(e) An examination or test, as provided by the Policy, which shows evidence of use of a prohibited substance or adulteration or manipulation of the specimen.

 

In addition, WWE may require a Talent to submit to a test or tests, including without limitation, urine, blood, saliva, hair, and/or breath tests, following an incident in which careless acts were observed during a WWE Event.

 

(2) Tests for violation of this Policy for alcohol and marijuana shall be on the basis of reasonable cause only.

 

B. Random Testing

 

With respect to all substances and drugs prohibited by this Policy except alcohol and marijuana, which will be tested only if reasonable cause exists to do so, WWE Talent will be subject to unannounced testing at any time, as determined by the PA. WWE may require Talent to submit to a test or tests, including, without limitation, urine, blood, saliva and/or hair in a random selection program. The random selection program conducted throughout the year will result in all Talent being tested on average four times and at least twice but may result in more frequent testing due to the random selection process. WWE Talent placed into the follow-up random testing program will be tested more frequently than four times per year.

 

C. Refusal To Test

 

A refusal to submit to a drug test by Talent shall be treated as a positive test for disciplinary and all other purposes pursuant to this Policy.

 

 

8. COLLECTION AND TRANSPORT OF SPECIMEN(S)

 

The Program Administrator will be in charge of collection of specimen(s) and they will carry out the following procedures:

 

(a) Ensure that the specimen(s) is/are from the Talent in question (including observation of the collection of the specimen(s)).

 

( Ensure that the specimen(s) is/are collected within the time period designated. Normally, collection shall be made within one hour or less of the notification of the Talent that testing will be conducted, unless a different time is designated based on the circumstances.

 

 

? Ensure that the specimen(s) has/have not been manipulated by promptly measuring the temperature of the specimen(s). Where results indicate that the sample is inappropriate for testing, the PA may require the Talent to provide additional specimen(s) as necessary.

 

(d) Label, secure, and transport the specimen(s) to the designated testing facility in such a manner as to ensure that the specimen(s) is/are not misplaced, tampered with, or relabeled.

 

 

9. FACILITY FOR TESTING

 

All testing will be done at a facility or facilities selected by WWE from among those facilities that have been certified by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, College of American Pathologists Forensic Urine Drug Testing Program (CAP-FUDT) and/or American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors (ASCLD).

 

 

10. TECHNOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF TESTING

 

The WWE designated testing facility will determine whether and in what amount a particular specimen tests positive with respect to a prohibited substance and whether the specimen has been adulterated or manipulated. The testing facility will transmit the results to the WWE PA. The PA shall promptly notify the Talent and the designated WWE representative whether or not the specimen(s) yielded a positive result for a prohibited drug and/or were adulterated or manipulated.

 

 

11. DEFINITION OF A POSITIVE TEST

 

(a) A positive test is one which confirms the presence of a prohibited drug or a metabolite of a prohibited drug.

 

( The initial test of Talent under this Policy shall be considered baseline testing and shall not, if positive, subject Talent to disciplinary action. Any subsequent positive test for non-medical use after the initial baseline test shall be treated as a positive test for disciplinary reasons if, in the opinion of the PA based on the evidence of testing and its interpretation of that evidence, the Talent has continued to use any such drugs.

 

? For testosterone, the following standards shall apply:

 

1. A Testosterone/Epitestosterone (T/E) ratio above ten (10) shall be conclusively regarded as a positive test result.

 

2. A Testosterone/Epitestosterone (T/E) ratio greater than four (4) but less than ten (10) shall require follow-up testing and/or medical evaluation to determine if the test shall be interpreted as positive for the active use of Testosterone or evidence of other steroids influencing the T/E ratio.

 

3. A Testosterone/Epitestosterone (T/E) ratio of four (4) or less shall be regarded as a negative test result.

 

 

12. PROCEDURE FOR A POSITIVE TEST

 

(1) The PA shall notify the Talent and the designated WWE representative of any positive test detected on the initial baseline test as defined in Section 11( of this Policy.

 

(2) After the initial baseline test, any and all subsequent positive tests for the non-medical use of drugs shall be subject to the penalties set forth herein.

 

(3) In the event that a Talent tests positive for a prescription drug, it shall be the responsibility of Talent to provide to the PA, within five (5) days of notification of a positive test, suitable proof that the drug in question has been taken pursuant to a valid prescription for a legitimate medical purpose given by a licensed and treating physician, and to provide copies of the prescription and the name, address and telephone number of the prescribing physician. The PA, as part of this Policy, shall have the consent of Talent to contact the prescribing physician to confirm that the prescription provided by Talent is valid and for a legitimate medical purpose. The failure to provide suitable proof shall be treated as a positive test. For purposes of this Policy, prescriptions obtained over the internet and/or from suppliers of prescription drugs from the internet shall NOT be considered valid and/or to have been given for a legitimate medical purpose. The Talent may be required to participate in follow-up testing to verify compliance with prescription medication use.

 

(4) Upon being notified by the PA that a Talent has tested positive for a drug prohibited by this Policy, the Talent shall have five (5) days to request a second opinion test be conducted. The second opinion test shall be conducted at the WWE designated testing facility using bottle ?B? from the original collection. If the second opinion test fails to confirm the original test, then the test will be recorded as ?negative? and there will be no penalty.

 

 

13. DISCIPLINE FOR VIOLATION OF LAW

 

Any Talent who is arrested, convicted or who admits to a violation of law relating to use, possession, purchase, sale or distribution of prohibited drugs will be in material breach of contract and subject to immediate dismissal.

 

 

14. PENALTIES FOR POSITIVE DRUG TESTS

 

First Offense. In the event of an initial positive result for drugs prohibited by this Policy, as amended from time to time, the Talent shall be suspended without pay for 30 days.

 

Second Offense. In the event of a second positive result for drugs prohibited by this Policy, as amended from time to time, the Talent shall be suspended without pay for 60 days or, in cases where the Talent appears to be in need of a drug rehabilitation program, an indefinite suspension without pay until the individual has successfully completed the drug rehabilitation program.

 

Third Offense. In the event of a third positive result for drugs prohibited by this Policy, as amended from time to time, the Talent?s contract with WWE will be terminated.

 

 

15. APPLICABILITY OF THIS POLICY

 

This Policy, as it may be amended from time to time, is applicable to and binding upon all WWE Talent under contract to WWE who regularly perform in-ring services as a professional sports entertainer.

[Guest Dangerous A]

Observation of signs, symptoms and/or behaviors known to accompany the use of prohibited substances including, but not limited to:

 

 

11. mental confusion, paranoia, or presence of abnormal thoughts or ideas;

 

12. violent tendencies, loss of temper, or irritability;

 

13. extreme personality change or mood swings;

 

These definitely apply to Vince, Steph, and the Creative Team. Too bad they won't be tested.

[sek69]

Looks like the new way for WWE to fire people will be to plant drugs in their bag and then be all "hey Vince, I think X is acting kinda funny, you should test him".

[Guest Dangerous A]

You know, it wouldn't surprise me in the least to see a lot more paranoia in the lockeroom and even witch hunts with this new policy.

 

Then again, I don't think WWE will be taking this very seriously because they really didn't want to do this in the first place and will probrably do away with it all together or just let it kind of fade away into obscurity. At least until the next death.

[sek69]

Well they're putting a lot of effort into it, more so than if they just wanted it to go away. I'm thinking they crack down for maybe the rest of the year, then ease up if no one OD's before then.

[kjh]

Gee, the wrestlers can't have any fun anymore, well not for a long time anyway.

 

What this policy tells me is that they are 100% committed to it currently, but I'm sure that commitment will waver if business declines and they blame the decline in physiques. It's nice to be less cynical than most posters for a change.

[sek69]

Beyond the roid stuff, wrestling without booze and pot seems like an unlikely prospect. How can they expect guys to take bumps 200+ days a year and not partake in some manner of painkilling?