Drug Testing
Administration of Athletic Training
Tyann Kreger
Feb. 28, 2005
Drug Testing
NCAA goals of drug testing programs:
Promote fair and equitable competition
Compete on a “level playing field”
No athlete should feel pressured to consume drugs
to have a chance to win
Safeguard the health and safety of athletes by
discouraging drug use through testing
Hope of athletes using drugs to be caught so they
can be counseled and receive treatment
What is being testing during a drug
test?
A list of banned drugs have been
established by NCAA and an Olympic
Committee.
These lists are composed of substances that
are generally reported to be performance
enhancing and/or potentially harmful to the
health and safety of the student athlete
Selection of Athlete
Random selection of athlete by sport
Random selection of athlete by position
Random selection of athlete by playing
time or finish position
Random selection of athlete by financial
aid status
Random timing-no notice
Reasonable suspicion
Drug Testing Methods
Urinalysis is most common method
Enzyme multiplied immunoassay technique
(EMIT):
Light absorption to establish level of drugs present in
urine
Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-
MS):
EMIT positive tests must be followed up by GC-MS
Separates compounds in urine and developing
fingerprints for each compound.
Drug Testing Methods Cont.
Athletes will be observed by a drug testing
crew member of the same gender
Length of collection process depends on
the athlete’s ability to provide adequate
specimen
Entire process is usually completed in 20 mins.
Can large amt. of fluids mask drug
test?
NO!!
NCAA requires athlete’s urine sample to
be analyzed on site before sending to
lab
Diluted specimen- athlete will be
required to remain in drug testing until
an adequate specimen is collected
NFL Drug Testing
NFL tests for recreational drugs
Athletes given specified date and plenty of
advanced warning
Positive tests athlete is given a second chance
before suspension
League treats recreational drug use as a
medical issue and wants to get athlete help
NFL Drug Testing Cont.
Steroid Testing
Random testing given each week
Computer randomly selects the athlete
1st positive test, athlete suspended for four games
2nd positive test, suspended for six games
3rd positive test, suspended for at least one year
NFL Drug Testing Cont.
Testing for masking agents
If athlete tries to pass a drug test using these
agents, they are suspended, even if a steroid is
not detected
NBA Drug Testing
Notification during practice on the day of
testing that they must provide a urine
sample
Everyone will be tested at least once during the
four week preseason…
rookies will be tested three more times, randomly and
without notification each season
Veterans will be tested during preseason only
NBA Positive Testing Results
Positive tests for cocaine, heroin or other
“hard drugs” will be barred from the NBA
for two years
Positive tests for marijuana will go into a
treatment program after the first offense
2nd offense they will be fined
Additional offenses will lead to more fines and
subsequent suspension
MLB Drug Testing
Players undergo two unannounced test
An initial test and a follow-up five to seven days
later
Failing to take test counts as a positive test, as
will attempting to alter a specimen or using a
masking agent
Banned substances are those listed by the FDA
Includes 27 types of steroids
High School Drug Testing
Consent form must be signed by athlete
and parent/guardian prior to season
If athlete refuses they may not participate that
season
Incoming athletes during a season must sign
consent before participating
High School Cont.
Drug Testing:
Done without prior warning to student
Positive tests-Medical Review Officer must
contact parents/guardian and school admin.
This results in immediate dismissal from team
• If not currently participating in sport, then the student
shall be required to miss the entire season for the next
sport in which the student normally participates in.
Required to undergo drug counseling
2nd violation-permanently prohibited from
participating in sports
References
National Collegiate Athletic Association. (2003-2004). Drug Testing
Program http://www.ncaa.org. February 24, 2005.
Collinsworth, C. (Oct, 23, 2003). The best policy: NFL’s drug
testing. http://www.NFL.com. February 24, 2005.
Iroquois School District. Iroquois High School Athletic Handbook.
http://www.isd.iu5.org/athletichandbook.html/ February 25, 2005
Smith, S.A. (October 9, 1999). NBA’ new drug policy being
implemented. http://www.cannabisnews.com. February 24, 2005.
Ray, R. and Perrin, D.H. (2005). Management Strategies in athletic
training.Human Kinetics, 3rd edition. Pgs.275-280.
Gonzales, M. New rounds of drug testing on deck.
http://www. Usatoday.com/sports/baseball.2004-02-28-mandatory-
drug-testing_x.htm. February 25, 2005.