St. Thomas University Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Policy PURPOSE The Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug (ATOD) policy of St. Thomas University (STU) is designed to promote healthy lifestyles. The ATOD policy is intended to protect the health and welfare of the student-athletes through education, monitoring, intervention, and when appropriate, punitive and rehabilitative measures. It is the goal of St. Thomas University s Athletic Department to deter underage use of alcohol and discourage student-athletes from using illegal or performance enhancing drugs and/or controlled substances. RATIONALE The St. Thomas University Athletic Department (STUAD) is responsible for the protection of the health and safety of its student-athletes through prevention, intervention, and pertinent education on the abuse of substances that adversely affect their academic performance, athletic achievement, and/or well being. The use of controlled substances, tobacco and alcohol can adversely affect their skills achievement, and poses a risk of serious injury to both themselves and others in the course of practice and competition. It is the policy of the Athletic Department of St. Thomas University to create a drug-free environment in keeping with the spirit and intent of the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988. The use of controlled substances is inconsistent with the behavior expected of employees, subjects all employees, students, student-athletes, and visitors to the athletics department to unacceptable safety risks, and undermines the University s ability to operate effectively and efficiently. In this connection, a student-athlete found with the unlawful presence of alcohol or a controlled substance in his/her system, unlawfully in possession of, using, selling, trading, or offering for sale controlled substances or alcohol while on St. Thomas University s premises or during events associated with the Athletic Department, will be subject to disciplinary action up to and including discharge as set forth by the policies of the Athletic Department at St Thomas University. The Athletic Department will develop and provide education seminars and programs in drug, alcohol and tobacco abuse and the dangers of addiction in line with this responsibility for the athletes well-being. The seminars and programs will help identify those student-athletes requiring assistance. If necessary they will be referred to the appropriate counseling and treatment sources. TOBACCO USE As a member of the NAIA, STU enforces the NAIA tobacco policy. The use of tobacco products is prohibited by all student-athletes and game personnel (e.g. coaches, athletic trainers, managers and game officials) in all sports during practice or competition. A student-athlete who violates this tobacco policy will be sanctioned as outlined by this STUAD Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug policy. First Offense 1. An official warning issued by any STU staff member and/or game personnel. 2. The staff member who issued the warning will alert the student-athlete s Head Coach and the Director of Athletics of the warning.
TOBACCO USE cont. Second Offense 1. Expulsion from practice, game, tournaments and events. ALCOHOL ABUSE The STUAD recognizes that student-athletes who are cited for a Residence Hall/Campus Alcohol Violation or Driving Under the Influence (DUI) or Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) place themselves in danger and put the community at risk. The STUAD will take a proactive approach in discipline as well as seeking the proper medical and other professional assistance for these student-athletes. Any coach or athletics personnel that are alerted to the violation of a student-athlete for alcohol on campus, DUI or DWI is required to immediately alert the Director of Athletics. The Director of Athletics will then seek through the appropriate athletics personnel a plan of sanctions. First Offense 1. Student-athlete is required to call and inform parent/guardian that he/she has been charged with an alcohol violation in the presence of the STU Director of Athletics, Head Coach, and/or Athletic Trainer. 2. Student-athlete will be required to attend session(s) with the STU counselor. 3. Under the guidance of the medical director, the student-athlete may be withheld from practice or competition if medically indicated. 4. Student-athlete will participate in an appropriate community service project. Hours will be monitored by and reported by the Director of Athletics. 5. As determined by the Director of Athletics, disciplinary actions can include up to 10% of removal from competition during championship season. Second Offense * Will include all 5 penalties of a first offense but are not limited to those penalties. * The Athletics Director will consult with the Head Coach of the student-athlete, Athletic Trainer, the studentathlete and any other appropriate staff. The history of the student-athlete regarding academics, attitude, history of substance abuse and other factors will determine the appropriate penalty. *Additional penalties for a second offense will be determined by the senior athletic staff and may include: I. Participation in an appropriate community service project. Hours will be reported to and monitored by the Director of Athletics. II. Additional suspension from competition as determined by the Director of Athletics. III. Revocation of scholarship at the end of the current semester.
DRUG ABUSE It is the responsibility of each student-athlete to report and submit a copy of any medical prescriptions or dietary supplements to the Head Athletic Trainer. This includes but is not limited to: diet pills, allergy medications, attention deficit disorder medications, and birth control medication. A vital part of this program will be drug screening for all St. Thomas University student-athletes. This will be done in order to deter drug abuse, to identify the substance abusers, to remove the threat of injury they represent, and, if necessary, to remove the abusers from the athletic environment. While the Athletic Department recognizes that drug testing is not the final answer to substance abuse, the objective of the program is to aid in the prevention of substance abuse, to educate the student-athlete to the dangers of substance abuse, and to remove that threat of serious injury to the student-athlete. Substance abuse includes unlawful possession, use, purchase or sale of controlled substances on University premises, including all athletic facilities. It also includes reporting to University sponsored events under the influence of drugs or alcohol. DRUG TESTING CONSENT FORM Consent forms must be signed by any and all student athletes, upon reporting for the 1 st day of practice and/or when physicals are conducted, whichever comes first of each year the student-athlete is participating. TRANSFER STUDENT 1. If a student-athlete transfers from an institution while ineligible, the institution from which the studentathlete transferred must notify St. Thomas University that the student-athlete is ineligible. 2. St. Thomas University reserves the right to notify another institution of a previous positive drug test of a student-athlete who is transferring from STU. SUBSTANCES Controlled substances include, but are not limited to, alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, heroin, morphine, codeine, methamphetamine, amphetamine, PCP, tricyclic anti-depressants, as well as other barbiturates and benzodiazepines. These substances shall not be served or consumed on University premises at any time or during scheduled University sponsored events. If a student-athlete is taking prescription medications listed on the banned list of substances, he/she must bring written documentation from the prescribing physician in order to be considered eligible. METHOD OF TESTING The Athletic Department, in order to comply with the rules and regulations set forth in the St. Thomas University drug policy; will conduct drug testing via urine collection to ensure fair and equitable competition and to safeguard the student-athletes against potentially harmful agents. PROCEDURES FOR SELECTION St. Thomas University shall conduct continuous and unannounced drug testing throughout the academic year on the basis of team, position, class, random or reasonable-cause selection without prior notification to the studentathlete.
SPECIMEN COLLECTION PROCEDURES 1. St. Thomas University will pay for the administration and all lab fees for the first random drug test. If the first sample results in a positive test, the student will be responsible for the fees of all and any retests. 2. The student-athlete will be given a sealed container for specimen collection. 3. The specimen to be collected will be a urine sample. 4. A test administrator will monitor the furnishing of the specimen by observation to insure the integrity of the specimen until the desired amount is achieved. 5. Once an adequate specimen is provided, the test administrator will transfer the specimen to the appropriate packing for transportation in the presence of the student-athlete. 6. Fluids given to the student-athlete having difficulty voiding must be from sealed containers (certified by the test administrator) that are alcohol and caffeine free. NO food can be administered. 7. If the specimen is incomplete, the student-athlete must remain at the collection site until an adequate amount is achieved. During this period, the administrator will possess the collection beaker. 8. Once an adequate specimen is achieved, the student-athlete must remain present until the specimen container has been sealed and stored. NOTIFICATION OF RESULTS AND APPEALS PROCESS 1. The drug-testing lab will notify the Head Athletic Trainer of the drug test results via electronic (e-mail) notification. 2. St. Thomas University shall notify the student-athlete of a positive drug test result. The notification will be made in person by the Athletic Trainer in private. The information will remain confidential. 3. The Athletic Trainer will notify the Director of Athletics and the student-athlete s coaching staff of the positive test results. 4. The student-athlete must call his/her parent/ legal guardian in the presence of the Athletic Trainer, Director of Athletics and/or Head Coach to notify them of their positive test results and athletic suspension status. 5. The student-athlete may appeal to have the remaining specimen re-tested at the time of initial notification at his or her own expense. CAUSES OF LOSS OF ELIGIBILITY 1. Failure to complete and sign the drug testing consent form prior to the date set forth by the Athletic Department. 2. Failure to arrive at the collection station at the designated time without notification or justification. 3. Failure to provide urine sample according to protocol. 4. Leaving the collection site without providing a sample according to protocol. 5. Attempt to alter the integrity or validity of the urine sample. 6. All student-athletes found positive for substances banned by St. Thomas University.
PENALTIES FOR POSITIVE DRUG TEST 1 st positive drug test: Student-athlete must call and inform parent/guardian that he/she has tested positive for drug use in the presence of the Director of Athletics, Head Coach, and/or Athletic Trainer. Suspension of 10% of season (rounded up). Student-athlete may not participate in practices or games during this time; however, they must be present at all practices and home games. No travelling is permitted during the time of suspension. Example: Football 17 games = 1.7 = 2 game suspension Counseling (minimum 4 sessions) with verification of completion from STU counselor. Student-athlete must abide by any additional recommendations from STU counselor. 10 hours of community service. Hours will be monitored and reported by Director of Athletics. Student-athlete will be required to submit to a follow up test (at the student-athlete s expense) 30 days from the most recent positive test. The re-test must be negative or show no evidence of increased drug use or it will be considered as the second offense. All positive drug tests will have a follow-up drug test. * The Director of Athletics will consult with the head coach of the student-athlete, the Athletic Trainer, the student-athlete and any other appropriate staff of the history of the student-athlete regarding academics, attitude, history of substance abuse and other factors to determine if any additional penalty is appropriate. This may include but are not limited to: I. Additional suspension from competition. II. Revocation of scholarship effective immediately. 2 nd positive drug test: Student-athlete must call and inform parent/guardian that he/she has tested positive for drug use in the presence of the Director of Athletics, Head Coach, and/or Athletic Trainer. Suspension for 365 days from date of positive drug test 20 hours of community service. Hours will be monitored and reported by Director of Athletics. Counseling (minimum 8 sessions) with verification of completion from STU counselor. Student-athlete must abide by any additional recommendations from STU counselor. Student-athlete will be required to submit to a follow up test (at the student-athlete s expense) 30 days from the most recent positive test. The re-test must be negative or show no evidence of increased drug use or it will be considered as the second offense. All positive drug tests will have a follow-up drug test. * The Director of Athletics will consult with the Head Coach of the student-athlete, the Athletic Trainer, the student-athlete and any other appropriate staff of the history of the student-athlete regarding academics, attitude, history of substance abuse and other factors to determine if any additional penalty is appropriate. This may include but are not limited to: I. Additional suspension from competition. II. Revocation of scholarship at the end of the current semester. 3 rd positive drug test: Revocation of scholarship and dismissal from Athletics Department *Once a student-athlete has tested positive once, they will be periodically tested throughout the rest of their athletic career at St. Thomas University. The Director of Athletics and each Head Coach retains the right to dismiss and / or suspend a studentathlete from the team and to recommend immediate cancellation or non-renewal of all athletically related financial aid after any positive test.
EDUCATIONAL SEMINARS The STUAD, along with the counseling center, will hold educational seminars twice a year. Each seminar will have a different topic ranging from substance abuse to sexually transmitted diseases. Attendance is mandatory NO EXCEPTIONS!!!!! Seminars will not be held on the day of a scheduled game. POLICY REGARDING SELF-REPORTING OF DRUG PROBLEM Self-reporting will be accepted prior to notifying the first subject of the impending test on the given test day. It should be noted that a student who self-reports a violation after notifying the first subject on any given test day will be subject to the penalties for a positive drug test, based on whether the positive test is a first, second, or third offense. Safe Harbor Program The STUAD is committed to assisting student-athletes who have a drug and/or addiction problem. To that end, if a student-athlete of his or her own volition brings use, addiction or dependency to the attention of a senior staff member of the STUAD outside of the notification of drug tests, and seeks assistance, penalties will not be pursued. A treatment plan will be used to track recovery and cooperation with treatment by the student-athlete. Self-Referral A student eligible for the STUAD Safe Harbor Program may refer himself or herself to the Safe Harbor Program through the Head Athletic Trainer for voluntary evaluation and counseling. A student athlete is not eligible for the Safe Harbor Program under the following conditions: 1. If the student has been informed of an impending drug test. 2. If the student has received more than one positive drug test. 3. If the student has been previously granted Safe Harbor. Treatment Plan A student who self-reports a drug problem and who has not had a previous offense will follow remedial guidelines as set forth below: 1. The Head Athletic Trainer will meet with the student and arrange counseling and evaluation sessions with STU student health center; however, no other individuals from the Department of Athletics will be notified. 2. The student will be encouraged to notify his/her parents or guardian. 3. The student will be allowed to practice and compete once enrolled in a rehab program under the supervision of a physician; however, the student may be suspended from play or practice, if medically indicated. 4. A student will be permitted to remain in the Safe Harbor Program for a reasonable period of time decided upon by the treating professional. 5. The student will be tested randomly as often as deemed necessary. If the student tests positive for a banned substance upon entering the Safe Harbor Program, that positive test will not result in any administrative sanction unless the student tests positive in a subsequent retest or the student fails to comply with the treatment plan. 6. A subsequent positive test will be considered a second offense and therefore the guidelines for a second positive test will be followed which include a year long suspension and twenty hours of community service.
BANNED DRUGS The list of banned-drug classes is subject to change by the St. Thomas University Athletic Department at any time. St. Thomas University will follow these outlines as a guide but is not limited to its stature. The term related compounds comprises substances that are included in the class by their pharmacological action and/or chemical structure. No substance belonging to the prohibited class may be used, regardless of whether it is specifically listed as an example. The following is the NCAA list of banned drug classes. St. Thomas University s Banned Substance List includes this list BUT is not limited to: (a) Stimulants Amiphenazole amphetamine Bemigride benzphetamine Bromantan caffeine 1 Chlorphentermine cocaine Cropropamide crothetamide Diethylpropion dimethylamphetamine Doxapram ephedrine Ethamivan ethylamphetamine Fencamfamine meclofenoxate Methamphetamine methylphenidate Nikethamide pemoline Pentetrazol phendimetrazine Phenmetrazine phentermine Picrotoxine pipradol Prolintane strychnine and related compounds (b) Anabolic Agents anabolic steroids androstenedione clostebol dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) dromostanolone mesterolone methenolone nandrolone norandrostenedione oxandrolone oxymetholone testosterone 2 and related compounds* androstenediol boldenone dehydrochlormethyl-testosterone dihydrotestosterone (DHT) fluoxymesterone methandienone methyltestosterone norandrostenediol norethandrolone oxymesterone stanozolol clenbuterol Other anabolic agents
(c) Diuretics: Acetazolamide Benzthiazide Chlorothiazide ethacrynic acid furosemide hydroflumethiazide metolazone quinethazone triamterene and related compounds* bendroflumethiazide bumetanide chlorthalidone flumethiazide hydrochlorothiazide methyclothiazide polythiazide spironolactone trichlormethiazide (d) Street Drugs: heroin marijuana 3 THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) 3 (e) Peptide Hormones and Analogues chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG-human chorionic gonadotrophin) corticotrophin (ACTH) growth hormone (HGH, somatotrophin) All the respective releasing factors of the above-mentioned substances also are banned. erythropoietin (EPO) sermorelin (f) Definitions of positive depends on the following: 1 for caffeine-if the concentration in urine exceeds 15 micrograms/ml 2 for testosterone-if the administration of testosterone or the use of any other manipulation has the result of increasing the ratio of the total concentration of testosterone to that of epitestosterone in the urine to greater than 6:1, unless there is evidence that this ratio is due to a physiological or pathological condition. 3 for marijuana and THC-if the concentration in the urine of THC metabolite exceeds 15 nanograms/ml. * The term related compounds comprises substances that are included in the class by their pharmacological action and/or chemical structure. No substance belonging to the prohibited class may be used, regardless of whether it is specifically listed as an example. (g) Supplements/Over-the-Counter Nutritional supplements are not strictly regulated by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) and may contain substances banned by St. Thomas University. Any supplements that contain the substances Ephedrine or MauHaung (natural form of Ephedrine) and/or Gaurana (natural form of Caffeine) is banned from use by all St. Thomas University student-athletes. For questions regarding nutritional supplements, please contact the Athletic Trainers.