The Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission (JADCO) has officially included blood sample collection in their doping control process, starting in June 2015. The Commission will carry out the blood collection sessions in collaboration with Central Medical Laboratories Limited, a reputable phlebotomy company in Jamaica.

According to Carey Brown, Executive Director of JADCO, “We began blood testing during the month of June with the assistance of our international partner, the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport (CCES). The CCES was instrumental in guiding us through the process of training the relevant personnel and setting up the appropriate mechanisms to ensure blood sample collection is done according to the International Standard for Testing and Investigations.” He further added, “The implementation of blood testing is a step in the right direction for antidoping in Jamaica, as this will further ensure the protection of our clean athletes.” 

“The ability to collect blood samples, in addition to urine samples, is an integral component of an effective testing program which protects the integrity of sport and the right of clean athletes to compete in a sport system free of doping,” said Paul Melia, President and CEO of the CCES. “The CCES congratulates JADCO on this important development in its anti-doping efforts. We are proud to collaborate with our Jamaican colleagues in the fight against doping.”

JADCO conducted training of Blood Collection Officers (BCOs) as part of a broader training session for sample collection personnel in November 2014. This training session was funded by the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

JADCO now employs a total of 18 Doping Control Officers (DCOs) and 49 Chaperones. 

The addition of blood testing is another improvement to Jamaica’s testing programme to ensure the organisation is compliant with the International Standards. In March 2014, the Commission started an Athlete Biological Passport Management System, with assistance from the INRS – Institut Armand-Frappier in Montreal, Canada. They are Jamaica’s Athlete Passport Management Unit (APMU) for the steroidal module. This enables JADCO to monitor the samples given by athletes over time for changes in their biological parameters which could suggest doping and provide material for further investigation.

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