Do they do drug tests in NBA? Would be interesting...

[RandomGuy]

This is why

[rocwell]

108. What is the league's drug program?

The NBA conducts random testing of its players, and provides both treatment programs and penalties for players who test positive for prohibited substances, which are classified into the following categories:

Drugs of Abuse: Amphetamines and similar drugs, cocaine, LSD, opiates such as heroin, codeine and morphine, and PCP
SPEDs: Steroids, performance-enhancing drugs, masking agents, and diuretics
Marijuana
Testing falls into two categories: reasonable cause and random. Reasonable cause testing occurs when the league or players association provides the program's independent expert with information about a player's use, possession or distribution of prohibited substances, and the expert believes that reasonable cause exists to order testing. If reasonable cause is found to exist, the player can be tested without notice up to four times in a six week period. Players can be subjected to random testing up to four times during a season and up to two times during an offseason (offseason testing is conducted for SPEDs and diuretics only). League-wide, the program will not conduct more than 1,525 tests during a season or more than 600 tests during an offseason. Players who have entered a drug program can also be directed for testing if they miss a game, miss two team flights and/or practices in a seven-day period, or are charged in a court of law with driving under the influence or driving while intoxicated.

Test samples are split into an "A" sample and a "B" sample, with the "A" sample submitted for laboratory testing. If a player's "A" sample results in a positive test, the player can request that his "B" sample also be tested, at a different lab than the one that tested his "A" sample. A test is also considered to be positive if the player fails or refuses to submit for testing, fails to cooperate with the testing process, or tries to cheat. The program's medical director reviews all positive tests before the results are official.

Players can come forward voluntarily for a problem involving the use of a prohibited substance. A player who comes forward voluntarily will enter the appropriate education, treatment and counseling program, and will not be penalized for coming forward (although he may be penalized for failure to comply with his program or for advancing a stage under stage two of the Drugs of Abuse program).

If a player tests positive for a drug of abuse, whether through reasonable cause testing or random testing, he is dismissed from the league. If a player tests positive for marijuana, SPEDs or diuretics, he enters the appropriate program where evaluation, treatment and further testing commence. The player also suffers the penalties associated with his specific program:

Drugs of Abuse program: There are two stages to the Drugs of Abuse program. First-time patients enter Stage 1 of the program. A player who has already completed Stage 1 enters Stage 2. A player who has already completed Stage 2 is dismissed from the league. A player in the program can also advance one stage for disregarding his treatment program. Players continue to receive their salary in Stage 1. Players in Stage 2 are suspended during their inpatient care and for at least six months of their aftercare, until the medical director certifies that the player is ready to play. Players who fail to comply with their program are suspended in Stage 1, and dismissed from the league in Stage 2.
Marijuana program: In addition to NBA testing, a player also enters the Marijuana program if he is convicted of possession or use of marijuana by a court of law. There is no limit to the number of times a player can enter the Marijuana program. Penalties in the Marijuana program are as follows:
First violation: No additional penalty.
Second violation: $25,000 fine.
Third violation: Suspended five games.
Subsequent violations: Suspended an additional five games (10, 15, etc.) for each subsequent violation.
Players who fail to comply with their program are fined $10,000, with increasing penalties for continued failure.
SPED program: For the first violation, the player is suspended 20 games. For the second violation, the player is suspended 45 games. For the third violation, the player is dismissed from the league. Players who fail to comply with their program are fined $10,000, with increasing penalties for continued failure.
Players are also dismissed from the league if they are convicted in a court of law of distributing drugs, of if they are convicted of the use or possession of a prohibited substance other than marijuana. When a player is dismissed from the league his contract is voided (see question number 110), and he is disqualified from playing in the NBA for at least two years. The exception is in the case of a first-year player who was caught through random testing, in which case the dismissal lasts for one year, and the player must enter the Drugs of Abuse program. An application for reinstatement is subject to the approval of the league and players association. Once reinstated, any subsequent dismissal from the league is final.

Teams and players are not allowed to override any portion of the drug program. For example, a team is not allowed to sign a player with a history of marijuana abuse on the stipulation that "one strike and he's out."

The league and players association are convening a panel to determine whether there is a valid test for Human Growth Hormone (HGH), and if so, to recommend testing procedures. If a valid test exists, the league may commence HGH testing 60 days afterward, up to two times during each season, and once during each offseason.

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[Bendit]

Îsnt Jennings and DD good friends? He should smack him one.

[Mr.Z]

I just want to know which drug got Birdman kicked out of the league

[rocwell]

I just want to know which drug got Birdman kicked out of the league

He was kicked out for using performance-enhancing drugs. List is huge - cocaine, heroin, morphine, amphetamine.

* drugs of abuse

[Mr.Z]

Aren't those listed under drugs of abuse? Kind of crazy to think heroine would enhance a players play lol

[rocwell]

Aren't those listed under drugs of abuse? Kind of crazy to think heroine would enhance a players play lol

Yup. My bad sir

[MyronBrindle]

He was kicked out for using performance-enhancing solar power system.

He must be banned.. What the hell is doing in sports