SALT LAKE CITY

When it comes to testing athletes for drugs, there are many inconsistencies at colleges and universities, from the money spent on programs to punishments given to offenders, a newspaper reported Sunday.

The Salt Lake Tribune said it requested information from 119 schools and received some from 79.

At least 67 percent said some athletes had tested positive for certain drugs, mostly marijuana, since 2004. Thirty percent said they give random drug tests, and 21 percent require a suspension with a first positive result.

Courts in Colorado and Washington state have barred public schools there from conducting random tests. Connecticut, Utah and Texas-El Paso don't notify a parent of a first failed test, according to the Tribune.

Some schools think an athlete might think twice if mom or dad finds out.

"I don't know about you, but if I had to sit in on a conference call with my dad after smoking marijuana, I wouldn't have to worry about penalties from the university," said Phil Voorhis, head trainer at Northern Illinois.

South Carolina told the newspaper that it spends more than $150,000 a year on drug tests and education. Twelve schools spend $5,000 or less, including Boise State, Central Michigan and Memphis.

Alabama, Michigan, Michigan State, UCLA and Florida State were among 23 schools saying they spend $10,000 to $25,000 a year, the Tribune reported.

Oklahoma and UNLV traded thousands of dollars in basketball and football tickets in exchange for drug-testing services, according to the Tribune.

No regulatory body oversees or monitors drug tests done by schools, the newspaper said. The NCAA provides a page of "suggested guidelines" in an 18-page manual.

The NCAA tests athletes at football bowl games and championship events and also makes campus visits, but not every athlete gets tested. Nonetheless, some observers believe the programs administered by the NCAA and the schools complement each other.