Student-Athlete Reasonable Suspicion Drug Testing and Education Policy : 3:05:01:02

Skip Navigation

 

Responsible Officer: Director of Athletics 

Responsible Executive: Executive Vice President for Student Success 

I. PURPOSE

The purpose of  the drug and substance abuse testing and education program is to discourage the use of illegal drugs, the abuse of legal drugs, and the use of unsafe dietary supplements by student-athletes  (collectively referred to as “banned substances”) through a reasonable suspicion based drug testing program designed to identify those who use a banned substance including, without limitation, those substances appearing in this policy, and to assist student-athletes by ensuring that they are well informed about illegal drugs, the abuse of legal drugs, and dietary supplements and to promote a healthy student-athlete lifestyle as well as create a fair competitive environment. 

II. MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR INSTITUUTIONAL ATHLETIC DRUG POLICY 

Motlow State Community College (Motlow State) in conjunction with Tennessee  Community College Athletic Association (TCCAA), the National Junior College  Athletic Association (NJCAA) and the National Collegiate Athletic Association  (NCAA), works to provide a competitive athletic environment that is free from  drug and substance use and abuse in any form. Participation in athletics is a   privilege, and student-athletes who use illegal performance-enhancing and/or  recreational drugs substantively violate that privilege. Similarly, as  Motlow   State serves as educational liaisons for those student-athletes desiring to   continue their athletic careers at four-year institutions that have drug testing   procedures, it is imperative that the Motlow State expects a drug-free    environment for student-athletes while attending our institution as we educate  them for now and for their lives beyond athletics. 

This policy regarding drug and substance abuse testing is specifically designed for  the members of our intercollegiate athletics teams. It is based on the premise that  banned substances and athletics are inherently incompatible. 

First, many banned substances, when used in connection with athletics activities or physical conditioning programs, may pose serious risks to the health of the student-athlete and may endanger other persons in contact with the user. Such use may result in illness, temporary or permanent injury, or even death. 

Second, the use of certain performance-enhancing substances may temporarily improve some types of athletics performance and thereby create an unfair competitive advantage for the person using them, violating the basic principles of sportsmanship. 

Third, intercollegiate student-athletes frequently become highly publicized role  models, and their use and abuse of banned substances can negatively influence  other young people, as well as damage the reputation of the College. 

III. APPLICABILITY 

Any student-athlete may be required to submit to a drug test, if upon evidence supplied by a member of the athletic staff or any other person, such as an advisor, faculty member, police officer or administrator, having an opportunity to reliably observe the student athlete’s behavior, physical condition or performance, the Athletic Director concludes there is a reasonable suspicion to suspect drug abuse or alcohol use. Factors on which reasonable suspicion may be based, include, but are not limited to: 

  1. Observed possession or use of banned substances 
  2. Outward appearance of impairment, e.g., impaired or slurred speech, impaired ability to walk, odor of alcoholic beverage or illegal narcotics or other banned substances about the person 
  3. A combination of factors indicating the illegal use, abuse of or addiction to drugs, including but not limited to: 
    1. Unexplained change in the student-athlete’s behavior/demeanor 
    2. Unexplained change in student athlete’s appearance 
    3. Inconsistency in the student-athlete’s grades and/or performance 
    4. Failure to attend class 
    5. Unsafe behaviors 
    6. Other unexplained changes indicating impairment or potential use of a banned substance 
  4. Possession of items or paraphernalia indicating use of a banned substance 
  5. Arrest or conviction for a criminal offense related to the possession, use, or trafficking of banned substances 
  6. A banned substance-related charge initiated under the college’s disciplinary procedures 
  7. Abnormal weight change 
  8. Observed abnormal appearance, conduct, or behavior, including unusual patterns of behavior or absence from training or competition 
  9. A report from a credible source 
  10.  A request from a head coach. Motlow State drug testing policies and procedures are independent of any drug testing program that the NJCAA may use. 

IV. Testing

  1. Before requiring the student-athlete to submit to drug testing, the Athletic Director shall confirm that reasonable suspicion exists, and the appropriate documentation has been supplied. Motlow State is responsible for explaining this policy to student-athletes and obtaining a signed acknowledgement at the beginning of the school year or season from each student athlete. 
  2. Observations that may contribute to the determination that a reasonable suspicion exists may include, but are not limited to, the following:
    1. Student-athlete is observed using or possessing drugs
    2. Outward appearance of impairment, e.g., impaired or slurred speech, impaired ability to walk, odor of alcoholic beverage or illegal narcotics about the person
    3. A combination of factors indicating the illegal use, abuse of or addiction to drugs, including but not limited to:
      1. Unexplained change in the student-athlete’s behavior/demeanor
      2. Unexplained change in student athlete’s appearance
      3. Inconsistency in the student-athlete’s grades and/or performance
      4. Unwillingness to attend class
      5. Unsafe behaviors,
      6. Other unexplained changes indicating impairment or use of illegal drugs
    4. Possession of items or paraphernalia indicating use of drugs
  3. Motlow State Community College will take reasonable measures to maintain confidentiality of any student-athlete who either admits using or abuse of a banned substance or, through testing, is discovered to have used banned substance. 
  4. All information and records, including test results, will remain confidential and be released only to the Athletic Director and/or individuals with an educational need to know, except as required by law.
  5. Banned substances include but are not limited to: 
    1. All Scheduled drugs under the federal Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. §801 et seq.) and Tennessee state law (T.C.A. §39-17-401 et seq. and/or T.C.A. §53-1-101 et seq.),
    2. The list of banned drugs may be found here:
    3. Stimulants: amphetamine (Adderall); caffeine (guarana); cocaine; ephedrine; methamphetamine; methylphenidate (Ritalin); synephrine (bitter orange); methylhexanamine (DMAA); “bath salts” (mephedrone); Octopamine; DMBA; phenethylamines (PEAs); etc. exceptions: phenylephrine and pseudoephedrine are not banned.
    4. Anabolic Agents (sometimes listed as a chemical formula, such as 3,6,17-androstenetrione): androstenedione; boldenone; clenbuterol; DHEA (7-Keto); epi-trenbolone; testosterone; etiocholanolone; methasterone; methandienone; nandrolone; norandrostenedione; stanozolol;stenbolone; trenbolone; SARMS (ostarine, ligandrol, LGD-4033); etc.
    5. Diuretics (water pills) and Other Masking Agents: bumetanide; chlorothiazide; furosemide; hydrochlorothiazide; probenecid; spironolactone (canrenone); triameterene; trichlormethiazide; etc.
    6. Street Drugs: heroin; marijuana; tetrahydrocannabinol (THC); synthetic cannabinoids (e.g., spice, K2, JWH-018, JWH-073)
    7. Peptide Hormones and Analogues: growth hormone (hGH); human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG); erythropoietin (EPO); IGF-1 (colostrum); etc.
    8. Anti-Estrogens: anastrozole; tamoxifen; formestane; ATD, clomiphene; SERMS (nolvadex); Arimidex; clomid; evista; fulvestrant; aromatase inhibitors (Androst-3,5-dien-7,17-dione), etc.
    9. Beta-2 Agonists: bambuterol; formoterol; salbutamol; salmeterol; higenamine; norcoclaurine; etc.
    10. Alcoholic Beverages, for individuals under the legal age for consumption of alcohol.
  6. Labs that perform confirmation tests must also be certified by either the Substance Abuse or Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA) or by the College of American Pathologists—Forensic Urine Testing Programs (CAP-FUDT)
  7. The college is responsible for the cost of an initial testing.
  8. If the student athlete is unable to provide an adequate specimen upon reporting to the screening site, he/she will not be allowed to depart from the screening area until an adequate specimen is provided.
  9. The student-athlete must give the sample to collector for transfer of urine to vials A and B (“split specimen”) under observation by the student athlete. In the case of a positive result, student athlete may request, in writing, that the "B" sample be checked at another lab. The student-athlete will be responsible for cost of sample “B” testing if it confirms a positive result.
  10. There are banned substances, stimulants, beta blockers, diuretics and certain classes of hormones that are used for legitimate medical purposes. Exceptions may be granted for those students with a documented medical history and/or a letter from the prescribing physician demonstrating the need for the use of such a drug. Therefore, at the start of each semester, student athletes are encouraged to voluntarily submit a list of such medicines to the Athletic Director.

V. CONSEQUENCES AND SANCTIONS FOR VIOLATING THIS POLICY 

  1. Subject to completion of due process requirements as provided in the college’s Student Disciplinary Policy, No. 3:02:00:06, Part 6, the results of a positive test for violations of this drug abuse or alcohol is as follows:
    1. First positive result – Student-Athlete will be suspended from participating in 10% of the team’s remaining games
    2. Second positive result – Student-Athlete will be suspended from 50% of the team’s remaining games
    3. Third positive result – Student-Athlete will be dismissed from the team.

    4. Follow-up testing: While the student-athletes are participating in prescribed treatment plans, they may be subject testing for banned substances for the purpose of determining the student’s progress under the treatment plan. After the student-athlete is released from the treatment plan, he or she will be subject to periodic unannounced/random testing for banned substances for as long as he or she remains a member of the athletics program. 

    5. Violations of the Motlow State minimum Drug Policy must be reported to the Motlow State President within thirty-six (36) hours of the finding. The President will ensure minimum sanctions are enforced. 

  2. Any student-athlete that tests positive will also be required to meet with the College’s licensed professional counselor, their head coach and the Athletic Director and comply with any rehabilitative counseling program prescribed.

VI. APPEALS 

  1. If a student-athlete believes that the test results are erroneous or that sanctions are  being applied inappropriately, he or she may appeal to the president within one   week of being notified of the positive test. Any appeal must be in writing and include  an explanation of why the results were erroneous or that sanctions applied   inappropriately. 

VII. REFUSAL TO SUBMIT TO TESTING 

  1. If, at any time, a student-athlete refuses to take a drug test, the refusal will be treated as a positive test. 
  2. Failure to arrive at the collection site at the designated time without justification or to leave the collection site before a specimen is collected will be treated as a positive test. 

VIII. EXCEPTIONS TO THIS POLICY

Any exceptions to the above policy must be approved by the Athletic Director. 

Appendix

Appendix A: Confirmation of Receipt of the Drug Education & Testing Policy for Student-Athletes

Sources

History

Leadership Council Approved: March 2, 2017 (Replaced by IOC) 

Revised: November 4, 2016; March 2, 2017; April 30, 2026; May 25, 2026 

Institutional Oversight Committee Approved: June 24, 2026 

President’s Cabinet Approved: July 14, 2026 

Effective Date/Approved: March 2, 2017; July 14, 2026