STUDENT-ATHLETE DRUG EDUCATION, PREVENTION, REHABILITATION AND SCREENING

Transcription

1 STUDENT-ATHLETE DRUG EDUCATION, PREVENTION, REHABILITATION AND SCREENING Neumann University seeks to provide an education that balances the liberal arts with the professions in an environment which promotes the development of men and women who will embody the Franciscan values of integrity, excellence, love/respect for all creation, and service to others. These values are evidenced through relationships that recognize the uniqueness and dignity of others, and through a sense of responsibility and stewardship as a citizen of the local and global community. Athletics is one of the environments utilized to promote these Franciscan Traditions. Neumann University recognizes the serious threat that the use of illicit drugs presents to the physical, mental and emotional well-being of student/athletes and to the integrity of intercollegiate athletics and the university. The Athletic Department has developed the following Drug Education, Prevention, Rehabilitation and Screening Policy as a means of providing useful information and necessary assistance to its student/athletes and ensuring a clean and equitable competitive environment. Purposes of the Drug Education, Prevention, Rehabilitation and Screening Policy The general purposes of this policy are to inform the members of Neumann University Athletic teams of the serious risks associated with the use of illicit drugs; to deter use of illicit drugs; to prevent the use of illicit drugs; to assist in the rehabilitation of illicit drug usage; and to maintain and promote an environment free of illicit drug use consistent with the high standards of the University. This policy is not intended to be disciplinary or punitive in nature and will be administered in a manner consistent with the personal rights and privacy interests of the student/athletes and Neumann s Franciscan values. However, since the use of illicit drugs is unlawful and inconsistent with participation in intercollegiate athletics at Neumann University, sanctions will be imposed as set forth in this Policy. Educational Programs All student/athletes will be required to participate in scheduled educational programs on substance abuse during their term of study at Neumann University. The primary objectives of the program will be to provide information on substance abuse, including alcohol as well as legal and illegal drugs; to create awareness as to the risks associated with substance abuse; to provide educational information on substance abuse as part of an overview of the social adjustments which student/athletes encounter; and to teach skills which will aid student/athletes in making responsible decisions regarding the use of drugs. Prohibited Drugs Use of any of the following drugs, except when prescribed by a qualified physician to treat a student/athlete s medical condition, is forbidden before, during and after the competitive sport season: Amphetamines Heroin

2 Anabolic Agents Barbiturates Cocaine metabolites Diuretics Opiates Phencyclidine Stimulants THC or Marijuana metabolites HCG Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin ACTH corticotrophin Growth Hormone (HGH, somatotropin) EPO Erythropoietin a. Stimulants b. Anabolic Agents c. Alcohol and Beta Blockers (banned for rifle only) d. Diuretics and Other Masking Agents e. Street Drugs f. Peptide Hormones and Analogues g. Anti-estrogens h. Beta-2 Agonists Note: Any substance chemically related to these classes is also banned. The institution and the student-athlete shall be held accountable for all drugs within the banned drug class regardless of whether they have been specifically identified. Drugs and Procedures Subject to Restrictions: a. Blood Doping. b. Local Anesthetics (under some conditions). c. Manipulation of Urine Samples. d. Beta-2 Agonists permitted only by prescription and inhalation. e. Caffeine if concentrations in urine exceed 15 micrograms/ml. All of the above substances are banned by the NCAA. The items in bold will be specifically tested for in the Neumann University Screening Process. The above list is not all-inclusive. A complete list of drugs banned by the NCAA and tested for at NCAA championships is available from the Athletic Director and the Athletic Training Staff. Screening Process

3 The Neumann University Athletic Department will periodically screen members of varsity athletic teams for the presence of prohibited substances. Drug screening will consist of a standardized urinanalysis which will be administered by the Riddle Memorial Hospital Occupational Health Staff at Riddle Memorial Hospital (or other qualified medical or laboratory staff) on a random basis determined by the agency contracted to provide such a service. A qualified, accredited laboratory will be provided with a list of numbers only. Each number will correspond to a student/athlete s name and will be kept confidential in the Athletic Department. The laboratory will randomly choose a predetermined amount of numbers on a monthly basis. The laboratory will contact the Athletic Trainer identifying the numbers chosen for testing that month. The Athletic Trainer will notify the Athletic Director and together they will coordinate notifying the student/athletes chosen for testing. Once a student/athlete is notified he or she will have a minimal amount of time to call Riddle Memorial Hospitals Occupational Health department to schedule a drug test. Provisions will be made within the Athletic Department to provide transportation for those athletes in need. It is the student/athlete s responsibility to notify the Athletic Director if they need transportation, in advance. Each urine sample will be analyzed for the presence of prohibited drugs by an outside agency contracted by Riddle Memorial Hospital (or other qualified medical facility) to provide such service. The outside agency will provide all test results to the Medical Review Officer at Riddle Memorial Hospital (medical facility). The Medical Review Officer will contact the Student/athlete and investigate the test results with the individual. A positive test result is defined as a test which indicates, in the opinion of the outside agency performing the testing, the presence of one or more prohibited drugs in the student/athlete s urine, as reflected by an initial test of the urine and a conformation test on the same urine sample. This method utilizes immunoassay techniques. If the initial test is positive, the conformation test will by performed utilizing gas chromatography/mass spectrometry analysis. Positive Results All positive results are cumulative over the length of the student/athletes athletic career at Neumann University. FIRST POSITIVE: In the event of a first positive test result, Riddle Memorial Hospital s Occupational Health Office will notify the Head Athletic Trainer. The Athletic Trainer will notify the Athletic Director and the student/athlete s head coach. The Medical Review Officer from Riddle Memorial Occupational Health will notify the student/athlete, and if the student/athlete is under eighteen (18) years of age, his or her parents or legal guardian, of the positive test results. The student/athlete will be required to attend an assessment interview with the school counseling department. Initial counseling services will be provided by Neumann University at no cost to the student. If in the opinion of the counseling staff further assistance is required, said costs will be the responsibility of the student/athlete. Student/athletes will not be permitted to return to practice or competition until the Athletic Trainer and Athletic Director have written conformation from Counseling Services of his or her compliance.

4 SECOND POSITIVE: In the event of a second positive test, Riddle Memorial Hospital s Occupational Health Office will notify the Head Athletic Trainer. The Athletic Trainer will notify the Athletic Director and the student/athlete s head coach. The Medical Review Officer from Riddle Memorial Occupational Health will notify the student/athlete, and if the student/athlete is under eighteen (18) years of age, his or her parents or legal guardian, of the positive test results. The student/athlete will be required to attend an assessment interview with, an outside agency with the cost to be borne by the student/athlete. As a result of the assessment interview the outside agency providing said service may require the student/athlete to seek further professional counseling, undergo a rehabilitation education program and/or participate in peer counseling. Initial counseling services will be provided by Neumann University. If in the opinion of the counseling staff of the outside agency further assistance is required, costs will be the responsibility of the student/athlete. Student/athletes will not be permitted to return to practice or competition until the Athletic Trainer and Athletic Director have written conformation from Counseling Services of his or her compliance. THIRD POSITIVE: In the event of a third positive test result, Riddle Memorial Hospital s Occupational Health Office will notify the Head Athletic Trainer. The Athletic Trainer will notify the Athletic Director and the student/athlete s head coach. The Medical Review Officer from Riddle Memorial Occupational Health will notify the student/athlete, and if the student/athlete is under eighteen (18) years of age, his or her parents or legal guardian, of the positive test results. Following such notification, the student/athlete will be subject to further treatment and/or counseling at his/her own expense, along with an immediate permanent expulsion from Neumann University s Intercollegiate Athletic Program and to non-renewal of academic aid for the ensuing academic year. Absence from Drug Test Failure to secure an appointment for drug testing after the student/athlete has verbally confirmed his/her selection for testing with either the Athletic Trainer or Athletic Director will subject the student/athlete to the same counseling and/or sanctions as would have been imposed upon the student/athlete had that student/athlete tested positive for prohibited drugs. Failure to appear for a drug testing appointment, after the appointment has been confirmed verbally by the student/athlete with the Riddle Memorial Hospital s Occupational Health Staff, will subject the student/athlete to the same counseling and/or sanctions as would have been imposed upon the student/athlete had that student/athlete tested positive for prohibited drugs. Professional Counseling & Treatment As set forth above, in the event of a positive drug test, the student/athlete will either attend in house counseling with the university or will be required to undergo professional counseling and treatment with the costs to be borne by his/her insurance carrier and/or as an out of pocket expense. If counseling and/or treatment is required and the student/athlete does not appear for the counseling and/or treatment that student/athlete will be subject to suspension from participation in intercollegiate athletics until another appointment is scheduled and kept. Continued Counseling and treatment will be at the discretion of the counselors. Location of

5 treatment center, if required, will be dependent on insurance company restrictions if any and/or personal or parental choice if the athlete is under the age of eighteen years old. In the event of no substance abuse coverage from insurance plan, Neumann University will assist with locating a facility to obtain treatment, with costs borne by the student/athlete personally or by his/her family. Re-testing Upon Positive Drug Test In the event a student/athlete tests positive under this policy, that student/athlete will be re-tested along with several other randomly selected student/athletes. Head Coaches Head coach of varsity intercollegiate athletic teams have the exclusive prerogative and authority to determine which medically and academically qualified individuals trying out for a varsity team will become and/or remain members of the team. Exercise of the prerogatives is based upon consideration of a number of factors, including ability. Coaches are fully aware of the educational and rehabilitative focus of this Policy, and they are also aware of the impact the use of illicit drugs may have on an individual s ability to perform in practice or competition. Student/athletes should understand that positive test results will be made known to their respective head coach and that coach will consider such positive test result(s) in assessing an individual s ability and in determining which individuals should be afforded the privilege of becoming and remaining members of varsity athletic teams representing Neumann University. Confidentiality of Test Results All information and records, including test results, under the Drug Education, Prevention, Rehabilitation and Screening Policy are confidential and, in addition to the specific student/athlete in question, will be released to the following individuals: the team physician, the Athletic Director, the Head Athletic Trainer, the head coach of the student/athlete, if the student/athlete is under eighteen (18) years of age, his or her parents or legal guardians, and pursuant to the permissibility afforded to universities under FERPA. All records generally, are retained pursuant to PA Omnibus Record Retention Policy. Applicability All applicable NCAA Division III rules, regulations, and interpretations shall apply to student/athletes who test positive to substances banned by the NCAA. Screening Process Approval The screening process may be commenced only by the President or the Vice President for Enrollment and Student Affairs with the counsel of the Director of Athletics and Recreation. Responsibility: Except as stated herein, the Director of Athletics and Recreation is responsible for administration of sanctions related to this policy.

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