Major league baseball began its first year of drug testing last week, but many critics view the program as too little, too late.

Players aren’t tested in the offseason — when athletes using performance-enhancing drugs are more likely to bulk up by skirting the rules — and penalties are minimal.

How widespread is drug use in baseball?

“I’ve had players come back who have been in the minors and tell me about the abuse that goes on,” Kansas University clinic manager Mark Cairns said. “It’s bad. It’s real bad.”

Stringent testing at the collegiate level provides more of a deterrent and makes it more difficult for athletes who cheat to avoid detection.

“Some team, every week,” Cairns said, “is getting a drug test.”

KU athletes are subject to testing by the athletic department, by the Big 12 Conference and by the NCAA. Kansas and the Big 12 screen athletes for performance-enhancing drugs, banned supplements and illegal narcotics.

NCAA on-campus testing is limited to offseason screening of football and track athletes. The collegiate governing body, Cairns said, tested Jayhawk football players only for performance-enhancing drugs during its visit this winter.

The NCAA tests all sports at its championship events. For example, six KU men’s basketball players were screened last season after the Jayhawks defeated Duke in the Sweet 16, and about 20 football players were tested in December at the Tangerine Bowl.

Different penalties

Kansas, the Big 12 and the NCAA each have their own way of dealing with players caught using a banned substance.

If drugs are detected in a KU athlete, he or she is sent to counseling after a first offense. A second offense merits a suspension, more counseling and random drug testing for a year. A third strike gives KU the right to suspend the offender permanently, and the school will offer more counseling.

If an athlete makes a voluntary disclosure about any drug and asks for help, that doesn’t count as an offense.

“We’re here to help them,” Cairns said. “We want to help them if they have a problem with drugs and substance abuse. We want to give them the opportunity to get counseling.”

The Big 12 reports positive tests to the school, which determines the punishment.

The NCAA reacts to a positive test for any drug with a one-year suspension on the first offense.

But because the NCAA tests only two sports — football and track — on campus, and other teams are subjected to NCAA testing only if they qualify for postseason play, some athletes fall through the cracks.

“If they test every sport and every school, it’s tough to do,” Cairns said of the NCAA. “You’re talking about a huge expense.”

KU budgets $20,000 a year for its testing, which is done at an out-of-state lab. One full composite test for all banned substances costs between $100 and $150.

Advance warning

KU, the Big 12 and the NCAA vary in how much advance notice athletes are given prior to a drug test.

“Our policy is we’ll notify a kid the day it’s going to happen,” Cairns said. “There are times when we’ll tell a kid before practice and then test them after practice. Sometimes we’ll notify them the night before and tell them to come in first thing in the morning. They don’t get much notice at our place.

“With the NCAA, I was able to tell them the night before and get it organized. With the Big 12, I can give the kids two hours notice.”

None of the time frames allow an athlete time to flush drugs from their system. Marijuana can stay detectable for 30 to 40 days, while cocaine and amphetamines remain for up to five days. Steroids can be detected a month after use.

Some athletes try to cover their tracks.

“We’ve had kids try to mask things,” Cairns said. “They’ve failed.”

Chris Dawson, KU’s director of strength and conditioning, said he talks to every team about steroids every year.

“Steroids are not nearly as prevalent as they used to be, at least not in the athletic realm,” Dawson said. “I don’t know if scared is the right word, but the effects have been clearly witnessed especially if you take them in large enough doses.”

Many athletes have instead turned to supplements, which easily are accessible. But supplements pose dangers as well.

Ephedra was linked to the heatstroke death of Baltimore Orioles pitcher Steve Bechler last spring. Yet Orioles head trainer Richie Bancells told the Washington Post last week he knew some players were hoarding the product because an FDA ban goes into effect April 12. Ephedra already is banned by the NCAA and most pro sports leagues.

Creatine dehydrates

Creatine, which can severely dehydrate the body, also has become controversial because of its side effects. Dawson said the NCAA forbids schools to supply that supplement to athletes, but players can take it one their own.

“It’s definitely changed,” Dawson said. “The word supplement has a bad name. There are good supplements, and there are some that are garbage. I tell kids if they want to take something, bring it to us first.

“If they need to be on something supplement-wise, we’ll supply it. I’ll give them something that’s good for them, that’s NCAA compliant. They’re very strict now.”

Dawson supplies athletes with a handful of products — shakes, Gatorade, Power Bars and a high-carbohydrate drink — after workouts.

“If they use anything else,” Dawson said, “they have to bring it in for testing.”

Dawson said the biggest problem with supplements is athletes who want to use them as a shortcut.

“There’s no quick fix, legally,” he said. “It’s about hard work and eating well. A supplement means in addition to, not a substitute. You have to get three square meals a day.”