Licensee suspended until June 30, 2005, for positive cocaine test; prescription medication defense rejected.
The licensee, a standardbred owner, trainer, and driver, requested a hearing after his license was indefinitely suspended due to a positive test for a cocaine metabolite.
At the hearing, the licensee argued the positive result was a false positive caused by prescription medication taken for injuries sustained in a racing accident, and raised a procedural defense regarding the lack of contact from a Medical Review Officer.
The Commission rejected both defenses, finding the licensee failed to provide sufficient evidence linking the prescription medication to the cocaine metabolite and that the procedural argument did not invalidate the test.
The Commission suspended the licensee until June 30, 2005, followed by an 18-month probation, and required completion of a drug rehabilitation program.
