It may seem strange to imagine that people would take drugs to be better at video games, but the problem is apparently so widespread that the Electronic Sports League (ESL) has instituted sweeping drug policy reforms, which includes randomized testing of competitors for drugs like Adderall, marijuana, and steroids.

“Our main goal is and always will be to maintain the fair play spirit and the integrity of our competitions, and we’re confident that the anti-doping policy is an important improvement that will help us advance as a sport,” ESL representative Anna Rozwandowicz said in a post on the Counter-Strike: Global Offensive subreddit. “It is a small, but in our eyes essential and meaningful step forward for professional gamers across all games, ESL as an event organizer, and the esports industry as a whole. There were a lot of questions left unanswered since the first announcement, and today we’re ready to share more information with you.”

The event that spurred the ESL’s recent drug policy changes was an interview last month with professional Counter-Strike: Global Offensive player Kory “Semphis” Friesen, who admitted that he and his entire team had been using the prescription stimulant Adderall during tournaments.

Stimulant use has been a widespread issue in esports, but until Friesen’s interview, it had largely been ignored by the major organizations. Some esports leagues had anti-drug policies, but they had no real methods for enforcing them. Now, however, the ESL has instituted a testing policy that will first go into effect at ESL One Cologne, and the organization will be randomly testing players’ saliva for drugs.

While the policies were originally created to tackle performance enhancing drugs (PEDs), but the organization will also be testing players for marijuana use, but only for the length of the tournament.

“During the competition, we are [testing for marijuana],” Rozwandowicz said. “Marijuana is on the list of prohibited substances for during the competition. This means that recreational use of it outside (before) the event days will not be punished. Using it during the tournament – from the start of the first day until the end of the last day of competition – is strictly prohibited.”

For legitimate medications like Adderall, players will need to submit proof of a prescription “no later than the first match is scheduled to start.” It is unclear whether this also applies to medical marijuana in locations where it is legal.

Punishments for players determined to be using drugs during a tournament range from prize money or point deductions to disqualifications and suspension.

Photo by Brett Levin Photography