NEWS ITEM 2 MARCH 2012
IMPORTANT ADVISORY FROM WADA cautioning of possible contamination of meat in China, Mexico and countries in the European Union of the prohitibed substance, clenbuterol.

Softball Australia condemns doping as fundamentally contrary to the spirit of sport. The purpose of our Anti-Doping Policy is to protect athletes' fundamental right to participate in doping-free sport and to ensure harmonised, coordinated and effective anti-doping programs at the international and national level with regard to detection, deterrence and prevention of doping.

Australian Sport Anti-doping Authority

The Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) is a government statutory authority that is Australia's driving force for pure performance in sport. It is the organisation with prime responsibility for implementation of the World Anti-Doping Code in Australia.

Testing

ASADA's vision is to protect Australia's sporting integrity through the elimination of doping. ASADA is authorised to carry out sample collection (also known as doping control or drug testing). Sample collection identifies prohibited substances or method, by athletes. Sample analysis is carried out in a laboratory accredited by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). ASADA maintain a Registered Testing Pool and a Domestic Testing Pool for the purposes of implementing, coordinating, administering, monitoring and enforcing effective doping control measures. Athletes in these pools and those athletes who meet ASADA's definition of athletes under the ASADA Act and ASADA Regulations, may be subject to both in-competition and out-of-competition testing. ASADA may test any athlete, at any time and any place - with or without advance notice. 

Prohibited List

The Prohibited List is an International Standard developed by WADA which identifies substances and methods prohibited in-competition, out-of-competition and in particular sports. The 2012 WADA Prohibited List came into effect on 1 January 2012.

Whereabouts

If an athlete is part of the RTP, they must advise ASADA of their whereabouts to enable ASADA to perform no-advance testing.

Therapeutic Use Exemptions

Athletes may at times need to use a prohibited medication to treat a legitimate medical condition. This is possible with a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE). To apply for an exemption, check your substances then contact to the Australian Sports Drug Medical Advisory Committee, the Australian body that gives approval for athletes to use prohibited medications for legitimate therapeutic purposes, in addition to other functions.

Retirement and reinstatement

An athlete who wants to retire from or return to competition must notify ASADA and complete the appropriate forms: Retirement Notification Form and Reinstatement Request Form.

ASADA eLearning

ASADA provide a number of free interactive eLearning tools and resources in which to explore anti-doping education opportunities for individuals, groups and organisations.