Athletic Drug Policy

Statement of Policy

Students of The University of Alabama in Huntsville are expected to abide by the laws of the United States of America, the State of Alabama, and the NCAA regarding drug and ergogenic substance usage. This includes observance of the highest standards of integrity and sportsmanship, and abstinence from the use of any illegal substances and any legal drug used to enhance control performance or bodily functions without the appropriate medical justification. We are opposed to the use of substances that may have physical or mental effects.

NCAA Drug Testing:

Student-athletes must sign an NCAA drug testing consent form. This is done through an electronic signature process through the NCAA and must be completed prior to the student athlete being added to the NCAA Eligibility List.

The NCAA conducts a year-round drug testing program. Member institutions are required to abide by NCAA requests to drug test any and all student athletes. NCAA employees will conduct the testing. The organization of the student athletes to attend the testing will be assisted by if necessary by UAH athletic department employees.

Student Athlete Drug Testing Education:

Student athletes will receive a list of the current NCAA Banned Substances when they sign the NCAA Drug Testing Consent Form and a hard copy at the annual student athlete compliance orientation session. They will also receive a small overview of the NCAA and UAH drug testing programs and a copy of the NCAA’s Drug Policies Pamphlet. At the compliance orientation they will also have an opportunity to ask questions.
Student athletes will participate in UAH Athletics Charging On! Leadership and Life Skills program. In this program they will watch the NCAA’s Drug Testing Program video, complete a quiz on the video, and be given website resources for the NCAA’s Sports Science Institute, list of banned substances, FAQs on drug testing, the NCAA appeals process, and medical exceptions procedure.

Penalties for Positive Results of NCAA Drug Testing-

Rules and penalties for positive banned substances found in testing are explained on the NCAA Drug Testing form. More information can be found at the NCAA site https://www.ncaa.org/sport-science-institute/ncaa-drug-testing-program

In short summary, student-athletes who are found positive for a banned substance may lose a year or more of their athletics eligibility, per NCAA rules and regulations. The only exception is for street drugs, as defined by the NCAA. Student athletes testing positive for street drugs will receive a 6 month loss of athletic eligibility. The ban will be for a calendar year, and a drug test may be taken at the end of that calendar year, if requested and approved, to request reinstatement of eligibility.

UAH Drug Testing:

Student-athletes must sign a UAH drug testing consent form. This is done through an electronic signature process with the athletic department’s athletic software program. Rules and penalties for positive banned substances are explained in this manual.

Penalties for Positive Results of a UAH Drug Test-

If any student’s sample, taken according to the UAH Drug Testing Program, tests positive (i.e. it shows that drug-residue substances are present in the student’s system) and the results have been verified, the Athletics Director and/or the Head Trainer/Drug Testing Program Director, will so advise the student privately, and will explain the type of substance which was found and the health hazards involved.

Positive Results on Banned But Legal Substances:

If the detected substances are not illegal drugs, then the Drug Testing Program Director may advise, initially, only the Director of Athletics, the Dean of Students, and the team head coach of the positive results. However, the University does not sanction the misuse of legal drugs; thus, where it appears appropriate to do so, the fact that the student has tested positive for legal drugs may be disclosed by the Director of Athletics to others within the University on a need-to-know basis and within normal University reporting lines. In exceptional circumstances, it is also possible that disclosure will be made to the parents of the student. It may also be necessary for the information to be given to the Director of Athletic Compliance for eligibility assessment purposes.

Except as permitted by the Testing Program, the University will exercise its best efforts to assure that all test results remain confidential; provided, however, that the Dean of Students may also advise other within normal reporting lines, of a positive test for illegal drugs where such disclosure appears to be appropriate.

NOTE: Taking another person’s prescription drugs is illegal and a banned substance. The same is true of taking an out of date prescription.

Positive Results on Banned and Illegal Substances:

The misuse of illegal drugs (as outlined in the Illegal Positive Results section of this document) shall subject the student-athlete to immediate action by the Dean of Students. This may include judicial action and the student may be dismissed for the University, depending on the circumstance. If after investigation by the Dean of Students, the student-athlete is allowed to remain at the University and participate as a UAH athlete, the student-athlete will be subject to all requirements of the UAH Athletics Department Probation policy, as well as all additional demands/ requirements placed upon the student-athlete will be subject to all requirements of the UAH Athletics Department Probation policy, as well as all additional demands/ requirements placed upon the student-athlete by the legal system, the Office of Student Affairs, the Athletics Director, and the student-athlete’s coach. Failure to comply with any of the additional requirements of probation will result in the same action as violation if UAH Athletics Department probation as outlined in this document. If allowed to stay in school, the student-athlete may be subject to dismissal from the team depending on team rules.

Because of the potential serious harm from use of anabolic steroids, any athletes who tests positive for anabolic steroids will be disqualified from participation in intercollegiate athletics for the season in which he/she test positive and will lose his grant-in-aid for the same academic year. If an athlete tests positive to anabolic steroids during the season. This action is in addition to any other sanctions or action as outlined in this section.

NOTE: Taking another person’s prescription drugs is illegal and considered under this section of banned and illegal substances. The same is true of taking an out of date prescription.

Disciplinary Action

Any misuse or abuse of drugs, legal or illegal, including anabolic steroids, will not be tolerated at UAH. Thus, the results of drug tests may, where appropriate, be used in connection with NCAA and University disciplinary proceedings.

Probation

Those students who are permitted to remain at the University after testing positive for a banned substance may be placed on probation by the Department of Athletics. This probationary period will last for one year from the date of the positive test and shall include the following: 1) obligatory drug testing at 4-6 week intervals for the duration of the probation, and 2) mandatory completion of a drug counseling and or educational program.

Violation of Probation

Failure to comply with the requirements of the probation or testing positive for the substance in question in future samplings will result in the probationary athlete’s removal from all UAH team rosters, he/she will no longer be allowed to participate as a UAH athlete, and he/she shall lose his/her grant-in-aid for the same academic year. Again, the University will exercise its best efforts to assure that all test results and associated action remain confidential according to the UAH Athletics Department’s policy.

Counsel and Education of Athletes

The University recognizes its obligation to operate a comprehensive drug education and counseling program. Competent counselors are available to assist students who may be abusing legal drugs and to provide confidential assistance with drug and alcohol abuse problems. Students who find themselves in violation of this drug policy are required to take advantage of these counseling programs.

Also, the University will encourage and be supportive of a student-athlete’s participation in appropriate non-campus drug treatment and rehabilitation programs, but with not assume any moral, or legal responsibility for any such programs or for any physical, mental, or emotional damage or disability suffered by any student related to alcohol or drug use.

Step by Step Instructions for the Student Athlete and Drug Testing-

Each team may have stricter penalties that have been outlined in team rules by each head coach. See step by step procedures for team rules as outlined in this section.

Steps for the Student Athlete-

1. SA must sign an electronic NCAA Drug Testing form to be on a team.

2. SA must sign an electronic UAH Drug Testing form to be on a team.

3. If the SA notes they have had a prior positive drug test, the SA must submit to a UAH drug test soon afterwards.

4. SA must watch the NCAA Drug Testing video through Charging On!, UAH’s SA educational program, by the due date on the Charging On! syllabus.

5. Attend UAH’s beginning of the year compliance orientation where the SA may ask any questions regarding drug testing, and receive a hard copy of the NCAA Banned Substance List and NCAA flyer for NCAA Drug Testing.

6. Be knowledgeable about where to find the UAH Student Athlete Handbook and be responsible for the policies and procedures in the handbook.

7. Submit to UAH or the NCAA for a drug test as requested by UAH or the NCAA

8. If a student athlete tests positive, they should proceed to the positive drug testing results policies.

Step by Step procedures for Student Athlete Positive Drug Testing-

1. Results of positive drug tests are reported to the AD. The AD will report to the Dean of Students and the Head Coach. All tests results are confidential and given to others only on a need to know basis. The AD will also report any preliminary and/or final assessments of ineligibility to the Head Coach and DoAC if applicable.

2. If a positive drug test or/and the putting on university probation affects the NCAA transfer policies regarding eligibility, the DoAC must report the positive drug test report or probational status on transfer certification forms.

3. If an NCAA positive drug test affects NCAA eligibility, the DoAC will update eligibility forms and reporting to the head coaches of SAs non-eligibility status for competition.

4. If a UAH or NCAA positive drug test affects athletic eligibility for practice, competition, any CARA, and/or financial aid, the DoAC will update the eligibility forms and reporting to the head coaches of SAs non-eligibility for practice, competition, any CARA, and/or financial aid.

Step by step procedures for team rules-

1. Written by each head coach and submitted to the AD for approval by July 15 prior to each academic year.

2. Approved by the Director of Athletics prior to August 1 of each academic year.

3. Sent to each member of the team electronically by August 1 and returned signed by the SA by August 14th prior to the academic year.

4. Team rules will be followed if and when they pertain to a positive drug test.

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The above is drafted to be used in the SA Handbook.

Following steps are drafted to be used in the compliance manual and hopefully the department policies and procedures manual.

UAH Athletic Department Drug Testing Procedures Step by Steps

Steps for the Director of Athletic Compliance-

1. Electronically send requests for NCAA and UAH Drug Testing consent forms to student athletes

2. Verify/monitor that each student athlete on the eligibility list has signed the NCAA and UAH DT forms prior to sending to GSC

3. If the SA denotes that they have had a past positive drug test, pass on the name/sport to Sports Medicine Head Trainer to have SA added the next UAH drug test program test

4. If the NCAA contacts UAH that they are coming to campus to conduct NCAA Drug Testing, immediately fax or email the requested eligibility/roster/squad list of the team(s) requested.

5. If a positive drug test results affects the SA’s eligibility, continue with eligibility processed for loss of eligibility through a positive drug test. See steps under procedures for a positive drug test.

Steps for Head Trainer-

1.Verify that each student athlete who is scheduled to have a drug test (NCAA or UAH) or is scheduled to participate in an NCAA Championship, has signed the appropriate FERPA release on the appropriate DT form.

2. If a SA tests positive for a banned substance in a UAH or NCAA drug test, proceed to appropriate steps outlined for positive drug tests

3. If the NCAA calls to notify UAH of being chosen for an NCAA campus visit to drug test (they will call Jeff Kinard first as the primary contact and Julie Woltjen second and the secondary contact), notify and coordinate the NCAA’s process with the Director of Compliance and notify the AD.

4. Make contacts with SAs chosen for NCAA drug tests and arrange for testing, including location and other needs.

5. Be the main contact for the NCAA through their needs for drug testing, start to finish. Meet the NCAA reps and assist them as needed. If unavailable, request assistance from the Dir. of Athletic Compliance with help from an assigned assistant trainer.

6. Positive results of NCAA and UAH drug tests are reported to the AD. If there is a positive test in either situation, proceed to the positive drug testing steps as required.

Steps for the Director of Athletics-

1. Receive the results of a positive drug test. If an NCAA drug test the NCAA will contact the AD. If a UAH drug test, the head trainer will contact the AD. If positive, the AD will notify the Dean of Students and the Head Coach of the results.Test results are to remain confidential except for this pool of employees, unless there is a separate need to know, including but not limited to eligibility certifications.

2. In the situation of a positive drug test, the AD takes the lead role in the discipline proceedings for the SA, coordinating with department and campus entities.

If the SA is permitted to remain at the institution, the probation will last one calendar year from the date of the test. During this time, the SA will submit to-

1. Drug tests at various times within 4-6 week intervals or sooner

2. Complete a drug violation program as organized by the Dean of Students according to UAH policies and procedures.

3. The penalty for the SA failure to follow the program and/or failing a drug test (even one) the student athlete will not be allowed to compete, practice, or participate in any countable athletic related activities, and will lose all athletic related financial aid. This penalty will last for the remainder of the academic year.

4. Use of anabolic steroids will not be tolerated. If either type of test was positive for anabolic steroids, the SA will immediately be disqualified for competition, practice, any and all countable athletic related activities, and athletic financial aid for the remainder of the academic year, and all competition seasons within that year.

5. Use if Illegal Drugs -

- If the SA tests positive for illegal drugs, the SA will be referred to the Dean of Students, and subjected to all UAH policies and procedures of use of illegal drugs and any and all ramifications in the policies and procedures. This could affect local, state and federal laws.

- If the SA is allowed to stay in school at UAH, they be subject to penalties which may include dismissal from the team, and if allowed to be on the team, will start a probationary period with the athletic department according to policy, and any other requirements of UAH Student Affairs, the AD, and or Head Coach.

Each team may have stricter penalties that have been outlined in team rules by each head coach. See step by step procedures for team rules as outlined in this section.

Steps for the Student Athlete-

1. SA must sign an electronic NCAA Drug Testing form to be on a team.

2. SA must sign an electronic UAH Drug Testing form to be on a team.

3. If the SA notes they have had a prior positive drug test, the SA must submit to a UAH drug test soon afterwards.

4. SA must watch the NCAA Drug Testing video through Charging On!, UAH’s SA educational program, by the due date on the CO syllabus.

6. Be knowledgeable about where to find the UAH Student Athlete Handbook and be responsible for the policies and procedures in the handbook.

7. Submit to UAH or the NCAA for a drug test as requested by UAH or the NCAA

8. If the test is positive, proceed to the positive drug testing results policies.

Step by Step procedures for A Student Athlete’s Positive Drug Testing-

3. If an NCAA positive drug test affects NCAA eligibility, the DoAC will update eligibility forms and reporting to the head coaches of SAs non-eligibility status for competition.

Step by step procedures for team rules-

1. Written by each head coach and submitted to the AD for approval by July 15 prior to each academic year.

2. Approved by the Director of Athletics prior to August 1 of each academic year.

3. Sent to each member of the team electronically by August 1 and returned signed by the SA by August 14th prior to the academic year.

4. Team rules will be followed if and when they pertain to a positive drug test.

Step by step procedures for a team head coach-

1. Draft team rules and submit to the AD for approval prior to July 15 of the academic year.

2. Electronically send notification of team rules to all team members by August 1 prior to the academic year.

3. Electronically receive signed acknowledgement of team rules from all team members prior to August 14th of the academic year.

4. Make sure your coaching staff and managers are knowledgeable of drug testing policies and procedures and supportive of. Have them also electronically acknowledge team rules by August 14th.

5. Follow team rules with probation and dismissal from team, including loss of athletic aid, if there is a positive drug test by a member of coach’s team.

6. Work with the Director of Athletics, the Dean of Students, and the Head Trainer if an athlete on coaches’ team tests positive for a drug test.

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Athletic Drug Policy

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