Clinical waste is usually sent for disposal without delay and there is every chance that Roger Clemens, a US baseball pitcher otherwise known as “Rocket” wished that disposal was indeed prompt!

Clemens appeared for the Boston Red Sox and more recently for the New York Yankees, but was accused of anabolic steroid abuse during his late career, mainly because of testimony given by his former trainer. Clemens firmly denied these allegations under oath before Congress, leading congressional leaders to refer his case to the Justice Department on suspicions of perjury. In consequence, a federal grand jury at the US District Court in Washington, DC, indicted Clemens on six felony counts involving perjury, false statements and obstruction of Congress.

Finally coming to court, at least a dozen items of medical waste including needles, cotton swabs, gauze and tissues, have been included on the government’s list of exhibits as evidence in Clemens upcoming trial that stems from his lies about the use of performance enhancing drugs including steroids. The proposed exhibits were included in court documents filed on Friday in advance of jury selection in the case set to begin next Wednesday.

Unfortunately, drug abuse in competitive sport is a massive worldwide problem. This in turn has spawned a culture of drug use by amateurs and most gyms and fitness studios quietly manage the occasional find of drug paraphernalia in their toilets; others offer sharps bins for safe disposal and have contracts in place for regular disposal.