Following the commencement of safety testing to detect illicit drug use at Motorsport Australia permitted meetings, Motorsport Australia is issuing this general information about the risks associated with taking medications containing codeine.

Codeine use has been detected by the drug screening devices used by Motorsport Australia’s drug testing representatives because it derives from the ‘opiate’ drug class (opiates being one of the five detectable drug classes).

Codeine can cause potentially dangerous side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness and nausea and it is for this reason that medications containing codeine have warnings on the packaging stating that it may not be safe to drive a motor vehicle or operate machinery whilst taking codeine.  Examples of common codeine medications that can be purchased either over the counter or with a prescription include Panadeine Forte, Nurofen Plus and Codral ‘Cold & Flu’.

Safety testing has been implemented so that Motorsport Australia can fulfil its duty of care to all motorsport participants and spectators to provide the safest possible environment at motorsport events. By virtue of this duty of care, any competitor or official that returns a ‘positive’ drug screen for one of the detectable drug classes may be excluded from the meeting at which safety testing is being conducted.

In the event of a ‘positive’ drug screen reading for the opiate class (which includes codeine) Motorsport Australia will commence an onsite investigation to determine the likely cause of the reading and, in accordance with the safety testing policy, will ultimately decide the course of action, which, could result in the competitor or official being excluded from the meeting. This investigation is required so that Motorsport Australia can determine if the ‘positive’ reading is likely to have been caused by a legal or illicit drug – for example codeine use and heroin use will both cause a ‘positive’ reading for the opiate class.

Following the investigation, if there is insufficient evidence to show that codeine has been used or if there is reason to believe that the individual is impaired by side effects caused by codeine use, exclusion from the meeting is a possibility.

To protect themselves from being excluded from a meeting if using codeine, competitors and officials can apply for a medical exemption if they have a need to use the medication for a medical purpose. Application forms are available from the Illicit Drugs in Sport page on the Motorsport Australia website and must be completed and signed by both the applicant and an AHPRA registered health practitioner before being submitted to Motorsport Australia for approval prior to participating in a meeting.

In addition to applying for a medical exemption, competitors and officials using codeine are encouraged to bring their receipts, prescriptions and even the medication itself with them to meetings to assist with the onsite investigation by Motorsport Australia.

Advice for competitors and officials is to expect safety testing at any Motorsport Australia permitted meeting and if taking medication containing codeine, be prepared for the possibility of exclusion from the meeting if you return a ‘positive’ reading for the opiate drug class without an approved medical exemption.

For further information about safety testing and/or obtaining a medical exemption, please email [email protected] or phone 03 9593 7777.

NOTE: Therapeutic Use Exemptions are NOT to be confused with ‘Medical Exemptions’ granted under the Motorsport Australia Illicit Drugs in Sport Policy. The two types of exemptions, although similar concepts, are completely separate processes and are governed by separate policies.  If you’re unsure which exemption you should be applying for, contact the Motorsport Australia Integrity Officer in the first instance at [email protected] or 03 9593 7777.

What is a TUE?
A TUE is an exemption that permits a competitor to use a prohibited substance or method, if medically required.

Competitors can only receive a TUE if there is no unfair advantage from taking the substance or using the method.

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) defines the criteria for determining whether a TUE is granted to a competitor. These criteria are:

• The competitor would experience a significant impairment to their health without the use of the prohibited substance or method;
• The therapeutic use of the prohibited substance or method would produce no additional enhancement of performance; and
• There is no reasonable therapeutic alternative to the use of the otherwise prohibited substance or method.

The body responsible for reviewing applications and issuing TUEs in Australia is the Australian Sports Drug Medical Advisory Committee (ASDMAC). For international competitors, such applications are managed by the FIA.

Motorsport Australia can assist competitors with applications for TUEs but is in no way involved in deciding the outcome of an application.

Do you need a TUE?
Under the WADA Code’s ‘strict liability’ principle, you – the competitor – are responsible for any substance found in your body, regardless of how it got there.  This principle also extends to any substance that you are taking for medical reasons. 

To understand whether you require a TUE, and if so what type of TUE you require, consider the following:

1. Are you taking a medication or using a method that is on the WADA Prohibited List? To check this, conduct a search using ASADA’s online GlobalDRO tool (http://www.globaldro.com/AU/search) and/or WADA’s Prohibited List (http://list.wada-ama.org/).  

If the answer is YES, then…

2. Do you need an in-advance or retroactive TUE?

Do you qualify for an ‘in-advance’ TUE?
Only certain, higher level competitors need to apply for a TUE in-advance. In-advance TUEs need to be applied for before taking the medication (except for emergency situations). Under current regulations (as at March 2016), the following competitors are required to apply for an in-advance TUE if using a prohibited substance or method:

• International-level – defined as (a) any competitor in the FIA Registered Testing Pool, (b) any competitor who participates in any competition registered on the FIA International Sporting Calendar (including the FIA International Series), or (c) any competitor who holds an ‘International Level’ licence issued by Motorsport Australia or any other ASN.

How do you apply for an ‘in-advance’ TUE?
Any competitor who meets the criteria listed above (i.e. international-level) needs to apply for a TUE, in advance, directly to the FIA. Or, if you are an international-level competitor who already holds a current TUE issued by ASDMAC, you need to apply to the FIA to recognise the TUE – otherwise it remains valid at the national-level only.

To apply for a TUE through the FIA, visit the TUE section of the FIA website. There you will find application forms and other relevant information.

For assistance with the TUE process, contact the Motorsport Australia Integrity Officer at [email protected] or 03 9593 7777.

Do you qualify for a ‘retroactive’ TUE?
If you do not fit the criteria described under the ‘in-advance’ TUE section above, you should prepare for a retroactive TUE application by taking the following steps:

1. Have a medical file prepared with the information needed for a TUE in case an application is needed. 
2. The information/evidence needed for TUE applications can be found on the WADA website. Show the relevant information to your doctor.
3. If you are tested you should declare any medication you are taking on your doping control form.
4. If you are informed that your sample has returned an adverse analytical finding (also known as a ‘positive’ test), you need to apply to ASDMAC for a retroactive TUE.

Retroactive TUEs may also be granted if:

• Emergency treatment or treatment of an acute medical condition was necessary;
• Due to other exceptional circumstances, there was insufficient time or opportunity for the competitor to submit, or for ASDMAC to consider, an application for the TUE prior to sample collection; or
• WADA and ASDMAC agree that fairness requires the granting of a retroactive TUE.

How do you apply for a ‘retroactive’ TUE?
Any competitor who meets the criteria listed above for a retroactive TUE needs to apply for a TUE directly to ASDMAC. To reiterate, this only needs to occur if  you are tested and only if your test returns a ‘positive’ reading for a banned substance.

To apply for a TUE through ASDMAC, visit the TUE section of the ASADA website. There you will find application forms and other relevant information. 

For assistance with the TUE process, contact the Motorsport Australia Integrity Officer at [email protected] or 03 9593 7777.

Motorsport Australia contracts the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) to conduct testing at certain events throughout the year. Testing is done primarily by collecting urine samples however ASADA do have the authority and ability to take blood samples if they so wish.

Specific details of the amount of testing to be undertaken, the events at which testing will take place and the competitors who will be subjected to testing cannot be disclosed in advance to protect the integrity of the testing program.

For further information, contact the Motorsport Australia Integrity Officer at [email protected] or 03 9593 7777.

FIA Race True is an eLearning course, developed by the FIA, which covers the key anti-doping points that a competitor MUST be aware of. Ignorance is no excuse when it comes to anti-doping violations so it is highly recommended that competitors take the time to complete this course. It is available in English, French, Spanish, German, Russian, Portuguese and Arabic and takes about 30 minutes to complete.

In addition to this eLearning course, in 2016 the FIA also commenced delivering face to face anti-doping education to drivers competing in FIA championships; Formula One, WRC, WEC, World RX, WTCC, Formula E and Formula 3.

Click on the link below to view the FIA’s educational resource, Anti-Doping Key Facts.  This document is aimed at international and national-level drivers and co-drivers and provides the basic information that they must know about anti-doping.

Pure Performance Online is a free and easy-to-use online education tool developed by the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA).

It provides everyone with the opportunity to learn about the key areas of anti-doping such as prohibited substances and methods, therapeutic use exemptions, doping control (testing) and whereabouts.

Motorsport Australia encourages all competitors and officials to register and complete ASADA eLearning as it will build personal awareness of their anti-doping rights and obligations.

Remember, competitors are not the only individuals that the anti-doping obligations extend to. In fact, officials and other persons (defined as ‘Athlete Support Persons’ in the policy) also need to be aware of the Motorsport Australia Anti-Doping Policy and all obligations applicable to them.

The course is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week (a high-speed internet connection is recommended).

Register for ASADA eLearning

Course Outline – Level 1 Anti-Doping Course:

• Covers the key areas of anti-doping.
• Certificate issued upon completion.
• Successful completion qualifies participants to undertake level 2.

Course Outline – Level 2 Anti-Doping Course:

• Must hold a level 1 certificate to be eligible for level 2.
• Covers more advanced topics in anti-doping and is updated annually to reflect current trends.
• Certificate issued upon completion (expires 31 December each year).

Learning Updates

• Series of short interactive videos about current trends in anti-doping at http://elearning.asada.gov.au.

By using illicit drugs, you can seriously impair the way your mind and body function. For motor sport participants, this can have a major impact on your performance and even puts the health and wellbeing of others, including the public, at risk. Away from the track, illicit drug use can seriously damage your personal life including work and relationships. 

Some of the things that you are risking by using illicit drugs include:

• your health, both mental and physical

• the health and safety of other competitors, officials and even the public 

• your own reputation, that of your car club and that of Motorsport Australia

• your motorsport career aspirations

• your sponsorship deals

• the respect of your peers, family, friends and the broader motorsport community.

Anyone that uses illicit drugs can become addicted. Once addicted, people continue to use them even when they know it is causing them problems. Without realising it, illicit drugs can become a central focus in a person’s life and can affect their personal relationships, sporting performance, ability to study and work, and general quality of life.

Illicit drug use is more than a breach of a Motorsport Australia policy or a sporting code of conduct – it could result in a criminal record, unwanted media attention toward you and your family, or worse.

GETTING HELP

If you think you have a problem with drugs, or know someone else who may have one, the first step is to start talking. Talk to a counsellor, a health professional or someone else that you can trust such as a friend or family member. Motorsport Australia is also available to help put you in contact with someone who can offer help.

For more information about illicit drugs or to get help contact: 1800 250 015 (free call) or visit www.australia.gov.au/drugs

PREPARE YOURSELF

Remember, the best way to protect yourself and others from the dangers of illicit drug use is to decide not to use them and prepare yourself with strategies to support this decision, for example:

•  Reduce the risk of being exposed to or associated with illicit drugs:

Consider your attendance at parties or clubs where illicit drugs might be present

Avoid alcohol, as excessive alcohol consumption can reduce inhibitions and increase the likelihood of making poor decisions.

• Decide what you will do if you’re offered illicit drugs:

“No thanks”

Keep yourself busy – dance, mingle etc

Stay away from people who you think are likely to use or offer you illicit drugs

Go out with people that you know and trust.

Do you know what you would say if another motor sport participant told you that they’re using illicit drugs? They may be confiding in you because they want or need help.  Decide what you will say to them. Know how you can support them to get the help they need.

ILLICIT DRUG TYPES

Illicit drugs fall into three categories: ‘stimulants’, ‘depressants’ and ‘hallucinogens’.

STIMULANTS

Stimulants increase your heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature and metabolism by stimulating the body’s central nervous system. For motor sport participants, this can be dangerous when you’re driving or officiating as stimulants can generate irregular heartbeat and even cause physical collapse.  

Examples of stimulant-type illicit drugs include cocaine, ecstasy and methamphetamines (including speed). Using stimulants can:

• Increase nervousness and irritability, making it hard to concentrate when you’re behind the wheel (driving or navigating) or officiating

• Distort your judgment and perception

• Cause headaches, stomach cramps, blurred vision and dizziness

• Cause agitation, anxiety, panic, aggression and paranoia

• Disturb your sleep including causing insomnia

• Increase your body temperature, heart rate, sweating and lactic acid production

• Cause seizures and heart failure

• Suppress your appetite which in turn affects your energy levels and ability to recover and refuel optimally following competition

• Impair your memory, and

• Result in the development of psychological problems.

DEPRESSANTS

Depressants slow down the central nervous system and the messages going between the brain and the body. Critical aspects of motorsport participation including concentration, coordination and response time are all negatively affected by depressants. The central nervous system also controls the body’s response to temperature, thirst and hunger.  

Examples of depressant-type illicit drugs include cannabis, GHB and opioids like heroin. Using depressants can:

• Slow your decision making and response time

• Impair your balance and coordination

• Increase dehydration

• Increase your appetite which affects body fat levels and weight management, and

• Decrease the likelihood of carrying out appropriate recovery strategies.

HALLUCINOGENS

Hallucinogens can have a powerful impact on your perception, affecting all of your senses and resulting in erratic behaviour. They alter a person’s thinking, sense of time and management of emotions.

Examples of hallucinogen-type illicit drugs include LSD and magic mushrooms. Using hallucinogens can:

• Increase your breathing, heart rate, blood pressure and body temperature

• Suppress your appetite which in turn affects your energy levels and ability to recover and refuel optimally following competition

• Slow your central nervous system, which dulls the senses, reduces coordination and affects physical response time

• Blur your vision and cause dizziness

• Disorganise your thoughts and distort sensory processing, which can cause hallucinations and confusion

• Cause stomach cramps, nausea and vomiting

• Increase mood fluctuations including depression, anxiety, agitation and panic, and

• In large doses, cause convulsion and coma, and result in heart and lung failure.