M.Sc.

Forensic
Science_Sem 2

Drug of Abuse in
Sports
- Ms. Shruti Rajwar
Asst. Professor
School of Forensic Sciences
 Table of contents
01 02 03
Drug Abuse Doping as per IOC Reasons For Drug
Abuse in Sports

04 05 06
Classes of Drugs WADA & NADA Sample Collection &
Encountered in Sports Tests
 01
Drug Abuse
“It is a habitual use of illegal or prescribed drugs leading to
negative consequences”
What makes drug abusive?
● Forms Habit
● Create Dependency
 02
Doping as per IOC
The use of a substance foreign to the body and
taken with sole intention of increasing the
performance by unfair manner
 03
Reasons for Drug Abuse in Sports
● To make up the muscular mass.
● To increase the body stamina to enhance the performance.
● To get rid of earlier drugs taken.
● Just for the feeling of high.
 04
Classes of Drugs Encountered in
Sports
Performance of Drugs Encountered in
Sports
Stimulants Analgesics Anabolic Steroids
• Natural • Natural
• Synthetic • Synthetic

Beta-Blockers Masking Agents Oxygen Enhancers

 Stimulants
Produces wakefulness, alertness, consciousness and enhanced
concentration, energy levels, confidence, attention etc. by
increasing the secretion of neurotransmitter like dopamine.

Used in sports dealing with mental and physical activity and gives
a feel good effect.

E.g. Cocaine, Amphetamines, Methamphetamines

 Amphetamines Ephedrine
3-4% 1.5%
75-150 mg has been
shown to enhance athletic
performance to the same
degree as amphetamine
(15-30 mg)
Increase athletic Increase Endurance in a
Performance in Strength dse of 14mg/ 70kg body
excercises weight
 Analgesics

Disable the brain to Allows the player to

detect injuries by perform well even in
blocking the enzyme case of fractures/ muscle
controlled synthesis of rupture.
prostaglandins.

E.g. Opium, Morphine, Heroin, NSAID Drugs

 Ill Effects
Causes aggression

Hyper – reflex and hypertension

Increased heart rate

Cardiac arrest

Cerebral Hemorrhage
 Anabolic Steroids
● Synthetic Substances similar to Testosterone. Also known as Anabolic

androgenic Steroids.

● Available as Injections and Capsules

● Used for tissue building and enhancing muscular strength.

● Used in sports like Weightlifting, boxing

● E.g. Androstenediol, Epitestosterone,

 Sex Hormone Testosterone

ANABOLIC Growth
GLH
STEROIDS Hormone

Miscellaneous
Insulin
Hormones

Males
• Kidney liver
dysfunction
• Breast Enlargement
• Risk of heart disease
• Elevated blood pressure
• Reduction in sperm
production
Ill Effects
Females Adolescent
• Deepening of voice • Premature closure of
• Male pattern balding growth centers of
• Abnormal or absent long bones
menstrual cycle
• Excessive hair growth
on face and body
 Beta Blockers
Use
E.g.
In shooting, archery
Esmolol, Salbutamol,
Bunolol

Abuse
To control blood pressure, fat deposition, lowers down the heartbeat and
reduce nervousness by blocking beta andrenegic receptors.
It increases skeltal mass and lipolysis
 Ill Effects
Nausea, dizziness, vomiting, seizures

Addiction and withdrawal symptoms

Impairs concentrations

Impairs co-ordination of muscles

 Masking Agents
● Eliminate drugs from the body.

● Increase rate of micturition.

● Decreased body weight

● Causes headache, nausea, vomiting, drowsiness

 Masking Agents
Plasma
Diuretics
Expanders

Increases
amount of Dilute urine
plasma.

E.g. Albumin, Acetazolamide,

Dextran amiloride
 Ill Effects
• Causes insomnia, tremors.
• Decreased blood pressure
• Decreased heart rate
• Cardiac Muscle atrophy
 Oxygen Enhancers
● Acts as oxygen carrying protein in blood.

● Results in better respiration and stamina

● Done by blood doping or gene doping with EPO.

● Causes side effects like kidney damage, heart attacks, hypertension, allergic

reactions.
 05
WADA & NADA
 World Anti- Doping Agency (WADA)
● WADA is independent foundation
created through a collective initiative
led by the International Olympic
Committee (IOC).
● It was set up on Nov. 10, 1999 in
Switzerland to promote, coordinate
and monitor the fight against drugs
in sport.
● Provides World Anti- doping Code,
adopted by more than 600 sports
organizations, including international
sports federations, National Anti
Doping Organizations, the IOC, and
the International Paralympic
Committee.
 DOPING is defined as
violation of one or more
of anti-doping rule.
Anti Doping Rules of WADA
● Presence of any prohibited substance in athlete’s urine/blood
● Refusing or evading sample collection
● Violation of athlete’s availability for out of competition testing
● Possession of prohibited substance or method
● Tampering any part of doping control
● Trafficking of any prohibited substances
● Aiding assisting and encouraging any athlete.
Punishments under WADA
● Breach of WADA code leads to punishment of 2 years, which may extend
to final suspension in case of repeated violation.
● In case of baseball:
○ 1st attempt: 50 game suspension
○ 2nd attempt: 100 games suspension
○ 3rd attempt: final suspension from all major and minor leagues
 National Anti- Doping Agency (NADA)
● National Organization responsible for promoting, coordinating and monitoring
the doping control programme in sports in all it’s form in the country.
● NADA works towards a vision of ‘dope free’ sport in India.
● Headquater in New Delhi
 06
Sample Collection and Tests
 In Competition samples
Collected during the period
of competition.

Out of Competition
samples
Taken when there is no
competition.
 Effectiveness of Different Biological Matrices in
Drug Detection
Type of Matrices Drug Detection Time Advantages Disadvantages

Blood 12-24 hrs Accurate results; Short detection time,

established methods expensive and detects
only current use
Saliva 12- 24 hrs Easy to obtain Short detection time,
Contamination from oral
cavity
Urine 2-4 days Mature techniques; Detects only recent use
detection rate is high and need costly
equipments for
confirmation
 Effectiveness of Different Biological Matrices in
Drug Detection
Type of Matrices Drug Detection Time Advantages Disadvantages

Sweat 1-4 weeks Relatively tamper proof High potential for

contamination
Hair or nail 4-6 months Measures long term use, Costly & time consuming
readily available,
accurate results
Breath (Alcohol) 12-24 hrs Easy to use, readily Short detection time.
available
 Detection period of substances from urine
Substance Detection Period

Amphetamines & Methamphetamines 2-4 days

Barbiturates 1-2 days ( Secobarbital – short acting)
2-4 days (pentobarbital- long acting)
10-20 days (phenobarbital)
Benzodiazepines Therapeutic Dose ( 3-7 days)
Chronic dose ( upto 30 days)

Cocaine 1-3 days

Cannabinoids Casual use (1-3 days)

Daily use (5-10 days)
Chronic use ( upto 30 days)
Opiods 1-3 days
Ecstasy 1-5 days