Drug Testing in Sports

Chapter 17Pharmacology

Drug Abuse in Sports

The history of taking drugs to improve performance dates back to World War II when German soldiers were given steroids to increase their strength and aggression.

Athletes take drugs

By purpose Accidentally

Self-Administration Quacks

Couch Advice Doctors Paramed

What is Drug Testing?Drug testing generically refers to the

analysis of bodily tissues or fluids to determine the presence and/or concentration of a particular substance

Drug Testing vs. Drug ScreeningDrug Testing vs. Drug Screening• Drug Screening Drug Screening is the qualitative analysis of body is the qualitative analysis of body

tissue or fluid to broadly determine the tissue or fluid to broadly determine the presencepresence of of particular substancesparticular substances

• Drug TestingDrug Testing in the most precise sense refers to in the most precise sense refers to quantitative analysis of bodily tissues or fluids to quantitative analysis of bodily tissues or fluids to determine determine concentrationsconcentrations of particular substances of particular substances

History of Drug Testing

First drug testing was for alcohol during prohibitionAnother early use of drug testing was in sports

First used to detect if horses were being given morphine thought to be a performance enhancer

Human athletes were being tested by the 1960’sThe military began testing during the Vietnam war.

However systematic testing did not begin until the 1980’s

Private industry began drug testing of employees in the 1980’sPractice became widespread following Executive Order

#12564, by President Reagan, establishing Drug Free Work Place

Examples of Athletes using Examples of Athletes using drugsdrugs

Ben Johnson:The American 100-meter gold medal winner was

disqualified in Seoul Olympics 1988 due to Stanozolol abuse. Then lifetime ban in 1993 due to Testosterone abuse.

Examples of Athletes using Examples of Athletes using drugsdrugs

Ronnie O'Sullivan:The British snooker player has forfeited prize money of $100,000 after a positive test for cannabis.

Examples of Athletes using Examples of Athletes using drugsdrugs

Dieter Binus:Accused of causing bodily harm to female East German swimmers by giving them anabolic steroids.

Effectiveness of Drug Testing

Difficult to evaluate effectiveness because of multiplicity of goals of drug testing:Identification of drug users in an organizationDeterrence of drug useImprovement of worker moraleIncreased productivityDecreased workplace accidentsOverall cost-effectiveness

Controversies Surrounding Drug TestingReliability of Drug Testing

Great potential for false positives, particularly on EMIT

Most drug tests do not measure current level of drug use/impairment

Constitutionality of Drug TestingViolation of Fourth Amendment protections?Violation of Fifth Amendment protections?Violation of Fourteenth Amendment protections?

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 winSafeguard the health and safety of athletes by

discouraging drug use through testingHope 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 sportRandom selection of athlete by positionRandom selection of athlete by playing

time or finish positionRandom selection of athlete by financial

aid statusRandom timing-no noticeReasonable suspicion

Methods of Drug Testing

Breath tests Used exclusively for alcohol Least invasive

Blood, urine, saliva test Testing of these 3 body fluids involves same basic

technology Problems identified with all 3

Hair analysis Can preserve record of drug use for an indefinite

period of time Also because of the way hair grows, can determine

approximately when drugs were taken (within about a month)

More precise determination, however, is not possible

Drug Testing Methods

Urinalysis is most common methodEnzyme multiplied immunoassay technique

(EMIT):Light absorption to establish level of drugs present in

urineGas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-

MS):EMIT positive tests must be followed up by GC-MSSeparates 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 specimenEntire 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 drugsAthletes given specified date and plenty of

advanced warningPositive 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 TestingRandom testing given each week

Computer randomly selects the athlete1st positive test, athlete suspended for four games2nd positive test, suspended for six games3rd positive test, suspended for at least one year

NFL Drug Testing Cont.

Testing for masking agentsIf 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 sampleEveryone will be tested at least once during the

four week preseason… rookies will be tested three more times, randomly

and without notification each seasonVeterans 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 offense2nd offense they will be finedAdditional offenses will lead to more fines and

subsequent suspension

MLB Drug Testing

Players undergo two unannounced testAn initial test and a follow-up five to seven days

laterFailing 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 FDAIncludes 27 types of steroids

High School Drug Testing

Consent form must be signed by athlete and parent/guardian prior to seasonIf athlete refuses they may not participate that

seasonIncoming athletes during a season must sign

consent before participating

High School Cont.

Drug Testing:Done without prior warning to studentPositive 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 counseling2nd violation-permanently prohibited from

participating in sports