Drug policies

Steroids have put the spotlight on drug testing in sports, but the approach to testing and penalties varies widely. Here's a snapshot:

MAJOR SPORTS

NFL

Policies, in effect since 1999, were updated in 2007. All anabolic steroids are banned. Testing: All players are tested at least once a year during preseason for at least 47 specific steroids, 20 diuretics (which may mask steroids), 11 stimulants and growth hormones.

When tested: During season, 10 players per team are tested at random each week. Players under contract may be tested up to six times during offseason.

Penalties: Start at four-game suspension and range up to lifetime ban. Other tests: Contracted players are tested once a year between April and August for specific "drugs of abuse" such as cocaine, PCP, marijuana, amphetamines, opiates, methamphetamine and Ecstacy.

NBA

Testing: Prohibited substances include amphetamines, cocaine, LSD, opiates, PCP, marijuana and steroids. When tested: Players are tested up to four times per season at random.

Penalties: Range from game suspensions to lifetime bans at the discretion of the commissioner. Steroids penalties start with 10-game suspension.

Major League Baseball

Testing: Players are tested randomly at least once each season for steroids.

Penalties: In light of the BALCO scandal, get-tough policies increased penalty for first-time positive test for steroids from counseling three years ago to automatic 50-game suspension in 2006. A third positive result now brings a lifetime ban. Players are tested randomly at least once each season for steroids.

Other tests: Baseball also tests players for cocaine, opiates, LSD, PCP, Ecstacy, ephedra and gamma hydroxybutyrate (GHB) if shown reasonable cause.

NHL

Hockey adopted its first performance-enhancing drug policy as part of its 2005-06 contract.

Testing: Players are tested without notice up to three times a year.

Penalties: A positive test brings a minimum 20-game suspension. Other tests: Come under the league's Substance Abuse and Behavioral Health Program, triggered by reasonable cause.

COLLEGE AND OTHER SPORTS

NCAA

Testing: Banned substances include cocaine, amphetamines, ephedra, anabolic steroids, diuretics, heroin, marijuana, peptide hormones and urine manipulators.

When tested: Athletes are randomly tested at NCAA championship events and football bowl games. Athletes in some sports are tested year-round with teams and players selected at random.

Penalties: Athletes who test positive for any banned substance are ruled ineligible by their schools for at least 365 days and lose one year of eligibility.

Boxing

Testing: Rules vary by state, though most don't test. California started random testing of licensed boxers for anabolic steroids in 2006 along with screening for narcotics, stimulants, marijuana, diuretics and other masking agents before fights. Nevada began testing boxers in 2002 for steroids.

Horse racing

JOCKEYS

Rules vary by state. In California, jockeys are not subject to random testing for prohibited substances, but may be tested if cause is shown.

Testing: California approved a pre-race Breathalyzer test for all riders to screen for alcohol, but that has not yet been implemented.

Penalties: At the discretion of the stewards.

HORSES

More than 800 substances are prohibited in California. Every horse that competes in California has a pre-race blood test, specifically screened for total carbon dioxide content (which may indicate "milkshaking"). The winner of each race and other horses selected at random get post-race blood and urine tests. (In stakes races, the first three finishers are tested.) Horses at California racetracks are also randomly tested out of competition for prohibited drugs.

Penalties: Range up to $100,000 and three-year suspension for the horse's trainer for multiple offenses. Owners and veterinarians are also subject to fines and suspensions. Any purse winnings are redistributed following a positive test.

Sources: Associated Press, league offices, players' associations, California Horse Racing Board, Bee research by Debbie Arrington