Banned Substances

AR81A provides that a rider commits an offence and may be punished if a sample taken from that rider is found upon analysis to contain a banned substance.

AR81B provides that the following substances and/or their metabolites, antifacts and isonomers are banned substances when present in a urine sample (unless otherwise stated) of a concentration above the applicable cut-off level:

• Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) (0μg/L);
• All barbiturates (0μg/L);
• 11-Nor-delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol-9-carboxylic acid (15μg/L):
• All diuretics (0μg/L):
• Probenecid: (0μg/L)
• Alcohol (at a concentration in excess of 0.02% on a breath analyser):
• All stimulants - substances in this group include, but are not restricted to, Amphetamine (150μg/L): Methylamphetamine (150μg/L): Methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA) (150μg/L): Methylenedioxyethylamphetamine (MDEA) (150μg/L): Metheledioxymethylamphetamine (MDMA) (150μg/L): Methylphenidate (0μg/L): Modafinil (0μg/L): Cocaine (100μg/L): Ephedrine (10,000μg/L). Substances in this group excluded are: Levo-amphetamine: Levo-methylamphetamine: Phenylpropanolamine: Pseudoephedrine.
• All anorectics - substances in this group include, but are not restricted to, Phentermine (500μg/L): Diethylpropion (0μg/L): Sibutramine (0μg/L).
• All opiates and opioids - substances in this group include, but are not restricted to, Morphine (0μg/L, save as specified by AR.81C ): Codeine (0μg/L, save as specified in AR.81C): Oxycodone (0μg/L): Fentanyl (0μg/L): Alfentanil (0μg/L): Pethidine (0μg/L): Methadone (0μg/L): Heroin (0μg/L): Monoacetylmorphine (0μg/L): Hydromorphone (0μg/L):Buprenorphine (0μg/L). Substances in this group excluded are: Dihydrocodeine: Dextromethorphan: Pholcodine: Propoxyphene: Tramadol
• All dissociative anaesthetics and related substances - substances in this group include, but are not restricted to: Ketamine (0μg/L): Phencyclidine (0μg/L): Tiletamine (0μg/L).
• Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) and pro-drugs of GHB (1,4-butanediol: gammabutyrolactone) (10,000μg/L).
• Benzylpiperazine (500 μg/L) and phenylpiperazine (0μg/L) and their derivatives (0μg/L).
• Tryptamine derivatives (0μg/L) (e.g. dimethyltryptamine: alphamethyltryptamine: hydroxydimethyltryptamine and related substances)
• All benzodiazepines - substances in this group include: but are not restricted to: Diazepam (200μg/L): Nordiazepam (200μg/L): Oxazepam (200μg/L): Temazepam (200μg/L): Alprazolam (100μg/L, as alpha-hydroxyalprazolam): Clonazepam (100μg/L, as 7-aminoclonazepam): Flunitrazepam (100 μg/L, as 7-aminoflunitrazepam): Nitrazepam (100μg/L, as 7-aminonitrazepam): Bromazepam (0μg/L): Clobazam (0μg/L): Flumazenil (0μg/L): Lorazepam (0μg/L): Midazolam (0μg/L): Triazolam (0μg/L): and substances with similar structure or pharmacological activity - benzodiazepine receptor agonists (zalplon: zolpidem: zopiclone).

Specifically in respect of codeine (which is contained in a number of common pain relief medications) and morphine (a metabolite of codeine), AR81C provides that when codeine and/or morphine are detected in a sample taken from a rider, the sample shall be deemed not to contain those substances if:

(a) the total codeine and morphine concentration is less than 2000 µg/L; or

(b) the total codeine and morphine concentration achieved in confirmatory testing is in the range 2,000 to 15,000μg/L inclusive and at least one of the following applies:

(i) the codeine to morphine ratio contained in the sample is greater than 1.0; or

(ii) the rider satisfies the Stewards that there is no illegal use of opiates or opoids by the rider.

Riders must note that it is the responsibility of each rider to ensure that they are not riding with banned substances. Riders should consider carefully each medication, supplement or other product before use and if necessary seek medical advice to determine if the relevant product may contain a banned substance.

These Rules are in place in the interest of the safety of riders. Strict penalties will apply to those riders in breach of AR81A which may include disqualification, suspension and/or a fine.

Riders should also note that not only illicit drugs are banned. Some legal substances (including commonly available codeine) may be banned substances and the use of them may lead to disqualification or suspension. Again, medical advice should be taken if the rider is in any doubt.

If a rider believes it is necessary to ride with a banned substance prescribed by a doctor, the rider should immediately contact the Integrity Department of Racing Queensland for advice as to how to apply for the necessary approval. Unless approval is granted under AR81E, riding with a banned substance that has been prescribed by a doctor is still a breach of the Rules.