Sports Leagues' Drug Policies

U.S. sports leagues have wide-ranging policies on drug testing and enforcement. They include:

NFL
The NFL, which has the most stringent and extensive anti-drug policy, has prohibited anabolic steroids and conducted tests since 1990. The league also bans growth hormone and beta-2-agonists, chorionic gonadotropin, diuretics and masking agents, illegal street drugs, ephedrine and other stimulants and certain dietary supplements.

All players are tested in preseason and year-round random testing is conducted with players selected by computer. Seven or eight players are picked from each team every week. The first positive result triggers a 4-game suspension; the second positive prompts a 6-game suspension, the third, a one-year suspension. All suspensions are unpaid. Six players have been suspended for violating the anabolic steroid ban this season; eight were suspended last season.

NBA
The NBA has random testing for anabolic steroids, cocaine, LSD, opiates (heroin, codeine and morphine), PCP and marijuana, but not for supplements like ephedra or other items on the international list.

In 1999, as part of a new collective bargaining agreement, the NBA expanded the number of substances for which players could be tested. Prior to that, the leagues tested only rookies for cocaine and heroin. Since, there is random testing of all players during training camp. Rookies can be tested three other times annually.

The anabolic steroid penalties are far harsher than those for marijuana. The first positive test mandates a 5-game suspension; a second positive test draws a 10-game suspension, a third positive causes a 25-game suspension. A player will be dismissed from the NBA if he is convicted of, or pleads guilty or no contest to a crime involving the use or possession of anabolic steroids. Only third-time marijuana offenders are given suspensions, for five games.

MLB
Under pressure from Congress and ownership, as well as from former players who went public about their anabolic steroid use, the players association agreed to "survey" testing for anabolic steroids that involved all players supplying two urine samples within a given week this past season.

As part of last year's collective bargaining agreement, if 5 percent or more test positive, "program" testing, or identifying samples by player, would start in 2004. Players who test positive would undergo treatment, and a second positive would result in a suspension of up to 15 days. If less than 2.5 percent test positive in two consecutive years, the testing would end.

NHL
The league only administers drug tests as part of its aftercare program for players who have substance-abuse and behavioral-health problems and has no specific ban on anabolic steroids.

The NHL, its players association and the USOC did agree in 2001 to unannounced tests for American players in Salt Lake City. In December 2001, Vancouver defenseman Mattias Ohlund - who was chosen for the Swedish Olympic Team - tested positive for acetazolamide, a diuretic, in a pre-Olympic urine sample. He was given the drug by a doctor following eye surgery and was let off with a warning by the International Ice Hockey Foundation.

NCAA
Division I football and track and field and Division II football and baseball players are randomly tested on campus at least once a year for anabolic steroids and diuretics. A positive test results in a loss of eligibility for one year. Before championships and Bowl games, tests are done for stimulants and street drugs.

MINOR LEAGUE BASEBALL
All players are tested for anabolic steroids, cocaine, amphetamines, LSD, marijuana, Ecstasy, opiates and androstenedione. First-time offenders receive treatment and counseling. Suspensions occur after five violations.

Related topic galleries: National Hockey League, National Collegiate Athletic Association, Minor League Baseball, Mattias Ohlund, Unions, Health Treatments, National Football League

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