Most of the student-athletes who request an appeal of their positive drug-test sanction cite the use of nutritional supplements as the source of the banned drug that caused the positive test. Nutritional supplement products containing steroid equivalents are easily available, and for many student-athletes, this creates a false sense of security that is equivalent to safe and allowable. But this is not true.

It truly is an unfortunate and sad event when a student-athlete who has worked hard to excel in sport is sanctioned with a year of eligibility and competition for the use of a product with a banned substance. It is especially unfortunate that this happens because they listened to the advice of a clerk in a health food store, or of a friend, family member or teammate.

The promotional efforts of companies producing these products has been outweighing the constant warnings in the way of posters, advisories, and presentations the NCAA sends to member institutions and they in turn to their student-athletes.

In an effort to stem the supply side of this issue, the NCAA has been participating with major health and sports organizations in efforts to restrict the availability of steroid equivalents in over-the-counter nutritional supplements through support of H.R. 207. This legislation, an amendment to the Controlled Substances Act, requires the inclusion of steroid equivalents on the schedules of controlled substances. Examples of these products sold over the counter are androstenedione and 19-norandrostenedione. The goal of this legislation is to prohibit the advertisement and sale of these steroid equivalents to student-athletes and the public at large.

Even though these steroid equivalents are not technically steroids as listed on Schedule III of the Steroid Act, these substances metabolize into anabolic steroids with potential adverse health effects similar to controlled steroids. The health of student-athletes is put at risk when they use these products, believing them to be safe since they are legally available over the counter. The NCAA and its member institutions do not believe that an individual's health should hinge on such a regulatory distinction.

In an effort to ensure a competitive, but level playing field, and to protect public health and safety, including that of student-athletes, the NCAA supports federal regulation of these substances to the same extent as Schedule III steroids. H.R. 207 is a vital step in ensuring a safe and competitive environment in intercollegiate competition. The NCAA vigorously urges support for this effort to safeguard student-athlete health and to preserve the integrity of intercollegiate athletics.

Abe Frank is the NCAA director of government relations.