MLB steroid testing: Urine trouble

Lately we took on anti-doping urine testing.  The facts indicate that urine tests are mildly effective/moderately ineffective.  The New York Times offers evidence, and reaches similar conclusions, tonight/today. (Deadspin link here ; Shaun Assael column with more on beating the system)

The Times reports that MLB teams know when the urine anti-doping testers will show up in their locker rooms.  Obviously, anyone familiar with drug testing knows how to beat a drug test if given advance notice.  Thus, if players receive advance notice of urine drug and steroid testing, the program is significantly weakened.

Major League Baseball, bracing for the results of an internal investigation into steroid use, has continued to employ a drug-testing procedure that may allow players time to mask their use of performance-enhancing drugs.

Drug testers contracted by the league routinely alert team officials a day or more before their arrival at ballparks for what is supposed to be random, unannounced testing of players. By eliminating the surprise factor, the practice undermines the integrity of the testing program, antidoping experts said.

The Times documents the various tip-offs to the MLB clubs.  Requests for parking permits, trainers setting up testing workspace, and billboards containing red flashing lights, all may tip off players.

Does it matter that players know in advance about testing?  Not according to an MLB Vice-President who oversees testing.  Should someone who oversees the program be so uninformed on methods of beating the testing system?  Quick answer: no.

Manfred (The MLB official) said: “We are very confident that no player has ever received advanced notice of a test. Even if a player knew a few hours before, there is precious little that can be done to subvert a test.”

Testing experts said players using a cream-based steroid or a patch can benefit from advance knowledge of testing because those substances can be cleared more readily from the body.

Don Catlin, who founded the Olympic Analytical Laboratory at U.C.L.A. 25 years ago, said athletes taking performance-enhancing drugs who know they are going to be tested often take lower doses of several steroids that will quickly pass through their system. He said that short-acting testosterone, which is absorbed by wearing a patch, can be cleared in a matter of hours.

“As soon as you know you are going to be tested, you rip off the patch and take a shower and urinate, and in an hour or two you will get numbers down real fast,” said Catlin, who two years ago founded the Anti-Doping Research Institute, a nonprofit organization in Los Angeles.

The Times goes on to reiterate what we say: the majority of MLB players caught drug-cheating appear to be nailed by forensic investigators and not by drug testing.

Emphasis on two words: 'biological profiles'...and not these two: 'urine testing'.

Comments

[Eugene]

Crazy isn't it. I was a huge fan of Mike Cameron's since his days with the White Sox. I was frustrated me when he left because I expected great things from him and wanted him to stay apart of Chicago. This, though, really surprises me. He was always a class act with the Sox and it's sad that it came to this. I'm shocked these players aren't caught with products to help them pass a drug test or cheat a drug test. Odd enough that they stoop so low.