You are the commissioner of the indoor professional lacrosse league for which the current CBA expires at the end of this year. Recently, several high-profile lacrosse players have been arrested for possession or use of legal recreational drugs. Consistent with the world anti-doping code, the international lacrosse federation has banned several athletes for two years for using performance enhancing substances. What recommendations would you make to club owners regarding a drug testing program for the league?
To address adequately the concerns of the players and their union regarding mandatory drug testing, note that a wide range of issues will have to be agreed on through collective bargaining with the lacrosse players union, including the following:
1. Which players would be subject to testing? Would random testing be instituted, or would players be tested only if there were reasonable cause that they were using performance enhancing substances?
2. How would the tests be conducted, and how often? What would conduct tests, and with what safeguards? Would there be an opportunity to appeal a positive test result?
3. Which drugs are prohibited? How is this determined? What is the basis for initial selection? Can the list of prohibited drugs be expanded (or reduced), and by what procedure?
4. What are the sanctions for a positive test result? Mandatory treatment? Suspension? Loss of salary and other benefits?
5. What appeal procedures are available?
