CAMS Licence renewals - Anti-doping policy and medicals

[manga_blue]

My 2S licence renewal papers are sitting the desk. Things are a little different this year with the new anti-doping policy and the new medical requirements inserts in the envelope.

I'm interested in people's experience with renewals this year.

First the anti-doping stuff. Here's a post or two from a well-respected Vic Alfa member about his progress. I have the same papers he has.

I'm just going through my CAMS licence renewal and reading the new anti-doping requirements. I have a commercial pilots licence which requires an annual medical. Renewing my CAMS licence is now more complex than renewing my CPL. Partly because I'm married to a GP, I get extremely conservative medical treatment. I'm on a drug which is on the prohibited list. It has no performance benefit, no side effects and CASA have no concern about it for my Commercial Pilors Licence. But now I have to apply to the Australian Sports Drug Medical Advisory Committe to get an exemption that then must be presented to CAMS in order to renew my Level 2 licence. My main use of the licence is to compete once a year at Philip Island (usually once a year I am CoC and the other time I compete).

At this stage I am not intending to renew my L2S licence and to relinquish my officials licence and either only do the Winton AASA events or give up entirely.

Doug

I've just had a very good phonecall from Bruce Keys and as a result I'm backing down. Bruce explained that CAMS have what sounds like a sensible comprimise on its anti-doping policy that allows it to qualify for whatever government grant has a precondition of ASADA compliance. The problem appears that the document they have sent out with licence renewals explaining the changes is incorrect. Doh!

Essentially the CAMS requirement that that those of us on drugs keep some sort of record that we are on them for valid medical reasons. In the event that we get drug tested at an event and something shows up, this documentayion demonstrates that there was a pre-existing reason for the drug. And of course the chances of being drug tested at a club level sprint is about the same as me wining tattslotto.

So, CAMS thinking seems to be good - while the CAMS bureacracy implementing it is unspeakably bad.

See you at Winton

[manga_blue]

The second is the medicals stuff. Has anyone been required to start their 2 year cycle this year?

Medical Examination Record - National

A Medical Examination Record - National must be completed by a CAMS designated Medical Examiner or Designated Aviation Medical Examiner.

If 45 years of age and over, every second year, unless annual medical examinations have been requested by a CAMS Medical Assessor must be forwarded with the licence application and completed Health Statement to CAMS Customer Services. Each Medical Examination will require the following tests
* LDL Cholesterol
* HDL Cholesterol Fasting
* Glucose
* Resting ECG

Applicants exchanging an overseas drivers licence are still required to undergo a CAMS Medical Examination in accordance with the FIA International Sporting Code.

It took a while to uncover the " CAMS Medical Assessor" list. It's at http://www.cams.com.au/Development/Get%20Involved/Competitors/Licence%20Requirements/~/media/Files/Development/Get%20Involved/Competitors/medical%20examiners1.ashx.

[rossint]

I'm on Symbicort for asthma treatment, it's on the prohibited list. Last year I had to get a note from my doctor but this year when I renewed my 2S licence nothing was needed.
R.

[Cal]

Who cares. The worst that can happen is they take your licence off you for a while. How is that any worse than not having one in the first place?

[manga_blue]

So it's looking to me like all this is just thunder and no lightning.

I didn't have the time and didn't care to pay for the full medical. Just submit the renewal and see what happens.

[rain902]

just another example of CAMS fobbing off to another authority - in this case its the ASDA so that CAMS can remain in compliance with anti doping regs so that they can make submissions to the fed.gov for grants from our taxes.

i love the way they pre filled in the "donation" line on my renewal form - i had to go to extra effort to cross it out. Im wondering exactly why I should donate to assist CAMS in lowering their (insurers) exposure to risk when they are getting money from the govt to save themselves money anyway, in addition to them being a 'not for profit' foundation that gives em a tax advantage.

merde if you ask me.

The chances of getting drug tested at a club sprint event is slim - for now - CAMS currently runs courses on breathalyser certification and use and any club can 'invite' a certified operator and equipment to attend their event at no cost.

This is real, and now. We should do well to remember this when enjoying dinner the night before.

It will not be long before testing for other substances is available as well - and in the case of alcohol and 'recreational' drugs - good idea. Unfortunately, if you happen to be on a steroid for your swollen knee or sinuses you will be scooped up in the same shovel and banned for a few years if you don't have that exemption in place before testing.

[Okibi]

I'm on Symbicort for asthma treatment, it's on the prohibited list. Last year I had to get a note from my doctor but this year when I renewed my 2S licence nothing was needed.
R.

Yeah I know some asthmatics that don't declare any more because they had go visit the doctor every year just to get a bit of paper signed.

Does tbro have to go to the doctor every year to get a bit of paper to prove that he's still blind in one eye?

[Cal]

The chances of getting drug tested at a club sprint event is slim - for now - CAMS currently runs courses on breathalyser certification and use and any club can 'invite' a certified operator and equipment to attend their event at no cost.

This is real, and now. We should do well to remember this when enjoying dinner the night before.

Yes, they had the bag at Morgan Park last year and tested every driver on the dummy grid. Fish and I were a little concerned as we'd had a few the night before. We both blew 0, but it was a good wake up call.

[bruce]

Can you imagine if they decided to test your urine for drugs? Who is going to perform that? For a proper test they have to follow you into the loo and watch the pee come out.

[Cal]

I'd try really hard not to get any on their shoe.

[FMS01]

The chances of getting drug tested at a club sprint event is slim - for now - CAMS currently runs courses on breathalyser certification and use and any club can 'invite' a certified operator and equipment to attend their event at no cost.

This is real, and now. We should do well to remember this when enjoying dinner the night before.

Yes, they had the bag at Morgan Park last year and tested every driver on the dummy grid. Fish and I were a little concerned as we'd had a few the night before. We both blew 0, but it was a good wake up call.

And that wake up call made what difference?

[tbro]

I'm on Symbicort for asthma treatment, it's on the prohibited list. Last year I had to get a note from my doctor but this year when I renewed my 2S licence nothing was needed.
R.

Yeah I know some asthmatics that don't declare any more because they had go visit the doctor every year just to get a bit of paper signed.

Does tbro have to go to the doctor every year to get a bit of paper to prove that he's still blind in one eye?

YEP!!!!!!! we need a cyclops shocks

Terry

[manga_blue]

I work on a lot of minesites, They're all subject to random testing now. Swipe a card or a fingerprint at the gate and every now and then the red light starts spinning. Alcohol limit is 0.00. They can detect amphetamines and opiates 4 weeks out. Cannabis they say they can detect 6 weeks out. Passive dope smoking outside the local is enough to take you over. Excedence is not conducive to continuing employment. They'll counsel you at first about why you should have a job, if you're contracting then they just revoke your permit.
CAMS is a few years behind them in this respect. I'm just pissed about maybe having to do the medicals all over again.

[manga_blue]

Just a bit more from CAMS at http://ggg.com.au/clients/cams/20090901/articles/article03.htm

Anyone interested in applying to be a testing officer for the illicit drugs program can email Bruce Keys at bruce.keys@cams.com.au to obtain further information.

It's possible that this could be taken the wrong way.

[Fatty]

Just a bit more from CAMS at http://ggg.com.au/clients/cams/20090901/articles/article03.htm

Anyone interested in applying to be a testing officer for the illicit drugs program can email Bruce Keys at bruce.keys@cams.com.au to obtain further information.

It's possible that this could be taken the wrong way.

LOL no kidding mate! between you and me and our various contacts in the music industry, i'm sure we could find many willing volunteers!