Re: Drug policy

[Truman Prevatt <truman.prevatt@netsrq.com>]

Steph

I guess the first question to ask is how much of a problem is this?  How
many positive test did the AERC have out of how many riders tested.  I
suspect that there are not many and if not it is a problem better left
to the AERC to interperate on a case by case basis rather than get into
"acceptable levels"  Even if there were "acceptable levels" established
it would not answer the original question on withdrawal since each horse
will matabolize a drug at a different rate.  

Truman

Steph Teeter wrote:
> 
> AERC recognizes the problem of zero tolerance for many of
> the reasons Kristen states. Last year there was a case of a
> rider using an old bute syringe to administer electrolytes -
> the horse was tested and showed positive for bute. Even though
> the veterinary committee stated that the amount of bute found
> in the blood was *extremely* low, AERC had no option but to follow the
> rules as written and penalize the rider.
> 
> Due to this the inflexibility in the way the drug rule was written and
> the way infractions had to be dealt with, the issue was discussed at the '98
> AERC board meeting. The board voted to allow AERC some level of
> discretion when dealing with individual postitive drug test cases. AERC
> now has the option to issue a warning, or whatever is appropriate
> to a given case, rather than mandatory punishment. There is still a
> zero tolerance drug policy, but a case which is obviously not an
> intentional violation may be treated on an individual basis.
> 
> If you think about it, it would be *really* difficult, if not impossible for
> AERC to define 'acceptable' levels for the hundreds of drugs available.
> This way each case can be dealt with individually, based on input
> from the vet committee.
> 
> Steph
> 


-- 
Truman Prevatt
Mystic “The Horse from Hell” Storm
Rocket a.k.a. Mr. Misty
Jordy a.k.a. Bridger (when he is good)
Danson Flame - hey dad I'm well now and ready to go!

Brooksville, FL