john blakney executive director ontario racing commission march 11, 2007
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John Blakney Executive Director Ontario Racing Commission March 11, 2007. Do you believe that good things are happening in Horse racing today?. In Ontario, We believe the answer is Yes!. And one of the most significant contributors… Medication Control. Ontario’s Horse Racing - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Ontario’s Horse Racing Community
John Blakney
Executive Director Ontario Racing Commission
March 11, 2007
Ontario’s Horse Racing Community
Do you believe
that good things are happening in
Horse racing today?
Ontario’s Horse Racing Community
In Ontario,We believe the answer is
Yes!
And one of the most significant contributors…
Medication Control
Ontario’s Horse Racing Community
Ontario’sHorse Racing Community
The Regulator, Owners, Trainers, Horse People Organizations,
Veterinary, Race Tracks and the Wagering Public
Ontario’s Horse Racing Community
What is Medication Control?Our main theme driving all communication:
That Medication Control is….
Good for the horse
Vital to the industry
Ontario’s Horse Racing Community
What is Medication Control?
A therapeutic value to the horse
Unethical to give non-therapeutic drugs at any time
Not mask health problem, cause a positive test, or undermine testing
Ontario’s Horse Racing Community
Why Medication Control?
Illegal and non-therapeutic drugs (perceived or real are of concern
Reputation of horse racing, financial stability of industry on the line
Confidence of all participants at stake
Action required to break the substance abuse cycle
Ontario’s Horse Racing Community
ABUSEABUSE
x
xUsers Substances
Distributors
The Substance Abuse Cycle
Ontario’s Horse Racing Community
Ontario experience - thenThe majority play by the rules - care passionately about the horse
“In competition testing”
Penalties ranged from days to 5 years
The few care nothing - motivated by greed
Change performance by illegal means
Ontario’s Horse Racing Community
Ontario experience - then Illegal and non-therapeutic drugs
Tolerated by the majority
Some joined out of need to compete
The community felt powerless
And then a moment of truth….
Ontario’s Horse Racing Community
recognition
Ontario’s Horse Racing Community
Ontario experience - nowA system based on:
Horse racing community involvement
Fairness, responsibility and due process
Education and change of practice
Proactive research and testing
Increased investigations
Ontario’s Horse Racing Community
Ontario experience - nowInitial fines - $1K - $2K, probation 1 – 2 years
Increased education and communication
Industry Advisory Group established
Blood sample Directive
“Out of Competition” testing introduced
Latest testing technology utilized
Ontario’s Horse Racing Community
Ontario experience - now
Fines and penalties increased substantially
August- October, 2006 - $100K fines - 10 year suspensions
Increased testing and investigations
The horse racing community has the power to effect change
Ontario’s Horse Racing Community
Horse Racing experience
What are we all faced with?
Ontario’s Horse Racing Community
The Drug Network…
… is international
Ontario’s Horse Racing Community
ABUSEABUSE
x
xUsers Substances
Distributors
The Substance Abuse CycleOf concern to racing participants around the world
To suppress the cycle, the international horse racing
community must experience a moment:
Ontario’s Horse Racing Community
recognition
Ontario’s Horse Racing Community
Together
we are the solution
Ontario’s Horse Racing Community
Thank you.
Ontario’s Horse Racing Community