National Collegiate Athletic Association
NCAA News Archive - 2000
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The NCAA News
The latest NCAA drug-testing data from July through December 1999 indicate a slight upward trend in positive tests in the Association's postseason testing program.
Though not an alarming increase, the percent positive for fall championships and football bowl games was up from the same period one year ago.
For fall championships and bowls in 1998, there were 437 tests and eight positives. In fall 1999, there were 251 tests and 13 positives. In 1999, nine of the 13 positives were for marijuana.
"Although we should be careful not to suggest that there is a strong direct relationship between percent-positive and actual use, it is reasonable that these numbers support anecdotal reports and published data showing increased marijuana use among college students," said Frank Uryasz, director of the National Center for Drug-Free Sport.
The NCAA tests for marijuana only in the postseason program.
As was the case in the previous six-month testing period for 1999, several athletes tested positive for ephedrine use. The source of ephedrine products primarily is supplement products marketed for fat loss and/or energy enhancement. The NCAA bans products containing ephedra, ephedrine or ma huang.
Uryasz said athletes should consult with the designated knowledgeable source in the athletics department before taking any supplements. Athletes also may contact the Dietary Supplement Resource Exchange Center at www.drugfreesport.com/recfor supplement information.
Year-round program
The percent-positive rate for the NCAA's year-round testing program was similar to the same period in 1998. Nandrolone positives remain the primary cause of loss of eligibility in the drug-testing program.
"Most of these are linked to the use of 19-norandrostenedione, an NCAA-banned anabolic agent," Uryasz said. "Although athletics organizations such as the IOC, NCAA and NFL ban19-norandrostenedione, federal law allows its distribution via supplement products."
Uryasz said, however, that supplement product labels are not always accurate.
"The athlete who purchases supplements via the Internet or in a store that specializes in supplements increases his or her chance of testing positive in the NCAA program. In some cases, athletes receive the products from family members who were not knowledgeable about the rules."
The National Center for Drug-Free Sport serves as the NCAA's administrator for its drug-testing programs. The Center can be reached at 816/474-8655. The NCAA drug-testing protocol can be found at www.ncaa.org/sports_sciences/
drugtesting/program_protocol.html._.
