Major league players will now be evaluated for opioids and cocaine, but criminals will be evaluated for treatment programs instead of being immediately punished.
Following a season of seeing the death of a 27-year-old pitcher opioid overdose, the major league baseball, and the player union was updated on Thursday, announcing that it would be screened for opioids and cocaine from spring training under player policies.
Drug policy updates use a treatment-based approach instead of a punitive approach. Players will only be disciplined for violating the prescribed treatment plan after a positive test.
This change follows the July death of Los Angeles Angels pitcher Tyler Skaggs from taking opioids such as M.L.B. He acknowledged that he was not immune to the national opioid epidemic.
In addition, marijuana is treated like alcohol in the league policy, and minor league players who are not affiliated with major league player unions will not be suspended for a positive marijuana test.
To date, opioids, cocaine, and marijuana have been classified as abused drugs under joint drug agreements. It focuses primarily on banning drug use and banning stimulants to improve performance.
Major League players have not been screened for drugs of abuse unless they have a reasonable cause or are part of a treatment program.
But under the change, M.L.B. Currently, he analyzes opioids, fentanyl, cocaine, and synthetic tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
Active players will be referred to a treatment committee consisting of health professionals specializing in substance abuse and representatives of M.L.B. and the player union.
In addition, individual treatment plans are created as needed. Only players who have not cooperated with the initial assessment or treatment plan can be disciplined.
The White House drug emperor Jim Carroll is M.L.B. Praised this policy in a statement issued by Prefers treatment over punishment, for his effort.
Players and team staff will also receive a mandatory education program on the dangers of opioid analgesics and a practical approach to marijuana in the 2020 and 2021 seasons.
As part of a policy change, natural cannabinoids (THC, CBD, marijuana) have been removed from the list of drugs of abuse. Fear of discipline
