Mid-Atlantic states to ban anabolic steroids Six Mid-Atlantic states -- New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia -- have agreed to begin the process of banning anabolic steroid use in racehorses, effective April 1, 2008.

The rules to be developed and implemented by each state will use the language created by the Racing Medication and Testing Consortium (RMTC) as a guideline to design their individual requirements, with the aim of controlling the use of all anabolic steroids.

The effective date of April 1 will allow horsemen and veterinarians who use anabolic steroids to withdraw those substances from their horses, which can take up to 120 days. It will also facilitate the time requirements of the rule adoption process in each state, allowing for public comment and adjustments to the rules if necessary.

The regulators also agreed to implement serious penalties for violations once the ban is implemented. Those penalties will involve suspensions, significant fines and loss of purses.

"I feel very strongly that this is the right move," Maryland Racing Commission Chairman John Franzone said. "There is no place for steroids in racing."

"The continued use of steroids in racehorses is indefensible, and it is time to put a stop to it," said Richard Abbott of the Pennsylvania Horse Racing Commission.

"Other countries already ban the use of anabolic steroids in racing, and this is an important step in improving the integrity of horse racing in the United States," said Peter Burnett, chairman of the Virginia Racing Commission.

The Mid-Atlantic region has already made its presence felt on medication issues. Its Uniform Medication Policy, adopted in 2003, became the foundation for the RMTC's Model Policy, which has gained national support. The Mid-Atlantic steroid ban is particularly significant, considering that this region hosts the largest concentration of racing on a daily basis in the nation.