On Thursday, November 29, the Ontario Racing Commission announced a change in regard to its human drug testing program.

The Ontario Racing Commission has issued an advisement that effective November 1, 2012, testing of human drug samples is now handled by Gamma-Dynacare Medical Laboratories. Gamma-Dynacare announced in August that it had acquired the human drug testing business of Maxxam Analytics, the previous supplier.

Gamma-Dynacare is certified by the Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and offers substance abuse testing for a variety of organizations.

Licensees working in defined safety sensitive positions are subject to random alcohol and drug testing. With input and consultation with industry associations and addiction professionals, the ORC Governing Board approved the Alcohol and Drug Policy Directive, which came into effect January 1, 2008.

The ORC and the racing community recognize that the use of illicit drugs and the inappropriate use of alcohol and medications can adversely affect an individual’s health, safety and job performance, and can also affect or endanger other individuals at the tracks, customers or members of the public.

(More information on Alcohol and Drug Policy)

(With files from the ORC)