Question

Prior to a sports event, blood and urine samples of sports persons are collected for drug tests.

1. Why is there a need to conduct such tests?
2. Name the drugs the authorities usually look for.
3. Write the generic names of two plants from which these drugs are obtained.

Answer 1

1. Some sportspersons resort to unfair practices to enhance their performance. Drug abuse often gives them a shortcut to success. Therefore, it has become necessary to conduct a dope test (for drugs or their derivatives in blood and urine) prior to any sports event to ensure fair play.
2. The authorities should look for performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) like gonadotropins, erythropoeitin and human chorionic gonadotropin​ (hCG) in the dope test. Opiate-like drugs, e.g. Vicodin, Percocet, or OxyContin, and cannabinoids are also misused by sportspersons these days.
3. Generic names of the plants from which drugs are obtained are as follows:
   • Papaver somniferum
   • Cannabis sativa
   • Erythroxylum coca