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

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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 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. 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.

III. 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.
  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 to drug or alcohol use or abuse or, through testing, is discovered to be using or abusing drugs or alcohol.
  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. Substances prohibited 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.

IV. CONSEQUENCES 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
  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.

V. 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.

VI. 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
  • Effective Date/Approved: March 2, 2017
  • Revised: November 4, 2016; March 2, 2017

Responsible Party

Athletic Director

 

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