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UW-L Athletic Drug Program

Drug Program (Established 2000, Revised 2001)

Philosophy

Membership on an athletic team at UW-L is a privilege. In order to participate, UW-L student-athletes are expected to demonstrate good sportsmanship, honesty, integrity, respect for others, as well as abide by all team, Athletic Program, University Of Wisconsin – La Crosse, WIAC, NCGA, and NCAA policies and regulations. UW-La Crosse prohibits the use of alcohol during athletically related activities, and the use of any drug or substance listed on the NCAA's List of Banned Substances (hereby referred to as drugs, illegal/illicit drugs, or substances) by any student-athlete who participates in the athletics program. The University is committed to developing and maintaining an environment that encourages and fosters drug-free competition.

The central objective of the UW-L Drug Education/Screening Program is to educate, inform and counsel student-athletes, to promote the health and safety of all student-athletes, and to enhance the quality of their total experience at UW-L. In light of the known risks to an individual's health and safety, it is imperative for UW-L to include drug education and screening in its student-athlete services.

Objectives

To encourage a healthy lifestyle.
To educate and counsel student-athletes on the effects of commonly used drugs and nutritional supplements.
To encourage drug-free training and competition by UW-L student-athletes.
To provide resources to assist student-athletes with drug abuse or other related problems.
To provide student-athletes with additional resources/references for those students seeking this information.
To support a drug-free training & competitiveenvironment by the athletic coaching staff and administration.
To inform student-athletes of the NCAA banned substance list.
To educate student-athletes of the NCAA and UW-La Crosse drug screening procedures.
To educate student-athletes of the NCAA and UW-La Crosse penalties for a positive test.

Procedures

Each student-athlete will receive a copy of this program to both educate them to the process and inform them as to which substances the NCAA has banned. Counseling and Educational programming will be conducted on an on-going basis. Drug screening of teams that are in-season, as well as those that are out-of-season, will be conducted throughout the entire academic year. Drug screenings will occur on a random basis, and in cases of individual suspicion based on evidence obtained by relevant university staff. Reasonable suspicion is defined as suspicion based on specific, personal, direct observations that the trained university representative(s) can describe concerning any of the four areas that warrant further investigation: appearance, behavior, speech, or breath odor. All test results will be evaluated at the NCAA threshold for that substance with the exception of alcohol. After being shared with the student-athlete himself/herself, all test results will be kept confidential (with the exception of the Athletics Director/Associate Director, Team Medical Personnel, Coach, and the University Counseling and Testing Services, and any other professional personnel based on individual circumstances).

Screening for controlled substances will be conducted through the use of a urine specimen. There will be no intrusive testing through the use of blood samples. Alcohol screening will be performed by the use of a Breathalyzer. Any student-athlete who refuses to participate in screening will be treated as having had a positive test result for the purposes of imposing disciplinary action pursuant to this policy. The student-athlete's record, however, will appropriately reflect the fact that the discipline was based on his/her refusal to submit to screening rather than as a consequence of a positive test result.

PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION

The UW-L Drug Education/Screening Program was developed with input from the Director of Athletics, Coaches, Athletic Training Staff, Strength Center Staff, Champs Life Skills Program, Medical Community, student-athletes, and University Counseling and Testing Services. Specific duties of the program members are as follows:

A. Director/Associate Director of Intercollegiate Athletics/Program Coordinator

Oversee the Drug Education Program in conjunction with the Coordinator of the Champs Life Skills Program, and appointed sub-committee chairpersons.
Coordinate efforts for student-athletes to provide specimens to the screening laboratory as per laboratory protocol.
Serve on the Appeals Board.
Refer student-athletes for drug screening based on suspicion.
Be available to student-athletes as a resource.
Notify student-athletes who have been selected to be screened.
Ensure that funding is available to administer this program. This may include the use of athletic department funds or it may include soliciting the assistance of the local medical community to procure external funds for education and screening.
Receive results of drug screenings.
Enforce the penalties associated with violation of the UW-L Athletic Department Drug Education/Screening Program.
Obtain the services of a local agency that will actually administer the screening process.

B. Coaches

Inform student-athletes of educational program date(s) and time(s), and consequences for not attending the program(s).
Understand that student-athletes may miss practice and/or competition if selected to be screened, or as the result of a positive test result.
Communicate support of the Drug Education/Screening Program to student-athletes.
The entire head coaching staff will serve as coaches' pool for the Appeals Board. One coach from a men's team and one coach from a women's team will serve on the Board when one needs to be assembled to hear an appeal. The Director of Athletics will appoint these coaches. Coaches will not sit on any Appeals Board where the student-athlete, whose appeal is being heard, is a member of that coach's team.
Refer student-athletes for drug screening based on reasonable suspicion.
Release student-athletes from practice for screening, counseling, or educational purposes.

C. Counseling and Testing Services

Be available to counsel any student-athletes who wish counseling.
Counsel, or refer to other source, athletes who have tested positive for banned drugs.
Encourage student-athletes to voluntarily seek counseling at any time.
Serve on Appeals Board.
Work with coaches in cases involving one of their student-athletes.
Maintain confidentiality of forms.
Develop a Consent to Release Form with the Athletics Office that will be used to inform the Athletics Office that the student-athlete has made an appointment with Counseling and Testing when a student has received a positive test result. Upon presenting this form to the Athletics Office the student will be permitted to return to practice/competition. The Consent to Release Form will summarize the circumstances surrounding the referral.

D. Student Athletes

Receive, read, understand and follow the procedures outlined by the NCAA and UW-L Athletic Department Drug Education/Screening Program.
Attend all educational programs provided for student-athletes.
Sign all UW-L and NCAA Drug Consent Forms.
Submit to drug screening and provide a urine specimen if selected randomly, or if requested due to the suspicion of a staff member.
Seek information and/or counseling at any time it is felt to be necessary.
Serve as student members of the Appeals Board (two members of the Winner's Council will be selected to serve on an appeal). Student-athletes will not serve on any Appeals Board hearing an appeal of one of their teammates.

E. Faculty Athletics Representative

Either one of the FAR's must serve on an Appeals Board to hear a student-Athlete's appeal.

F. Appeals Board

This group has the sole duty of hearing appeals by student-athletes. Each person assigned to a case will serve for only one case. Pools of coaches (head coaches only) and student-athletes (Winner's Council members) will be developed. At no time will a coach or a student-athlete serve on the Appeals Board when a member of their team is appearing before the Board.

The Board will consist of:

Director of Athletics/Associate Director of Athletics/ or designee.
Two coaches - one from a men's team and one from a women's team.
Two student-athletes (one male & one female)
Designated Team Physician
Member of University Counseling and Testing Staff
A Faculty Athletics Representative

G. Coordination of Educational Programs

Champs Life Skills Coordinator will develop and coordinate educational programs that provide information on the medical, emotional and physical effects of substance abuse for student-athletes. The Coordinator will establish meetings with qualified university staff members or Community resources to discuss the dangers of substance abuse.
Program Coordinator/Athletics Director will assist in developing the educational program and provide the funding when needed.
Education sub-committee will assist with developing and administration of the educational program.
Programs will be offered two to three times a year (fall, winter, and spring sports)
Programs will also inform student-athletes of treatment alternatives and the services available to them on-campus and within the La Crosse community.

H. Strength Center Staff

Refer student-athletes for drug screening based on suspicion.
Communicate support of the Drug Education/Screening Program to student-athletes.

I. Designated Team Physician

Receive and evaluate all lab results.
Work with the University Counseling and Testing Center in dealing with positive tests in accordance with the guidelines stated in this policy.

NOTE: The University of Wisconsin - La Crosse Department of Intercollegiate Athletics will not tolerate its' staff or employees encouraging the use of banned substances. Members of the UW-L Department of Intercollegiate Athletics are prohibited from encouraging the use of or providing any NCAA banned substance (including alcohol, certain nutritional ergogenic aids and supplements) to any student-athlete. Any employee of the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics who recommends or distributes any of the drugs/substances deemed illegal by this program would be subject to disciplinary actions.

Drug Education Component

The educational section of this program consists of 7 components:

Educational presentations on the harmful effects of commonly used drugs will be given three times per year, one per each season. Attendance at one meeting per year is mandatory for each student-athlete. Student-athletes can attend any session prior to the start of their season. It is recommended that sessions be scheduled during team practice times to maximize the number of students who attend.

A videotape or live presentation will be made.
Any student-athlete missing the mandatory meeting is required to arrange for a make-up session through theAthletics Office. The original absence must have beenpre-approved by the coach, or due to an emergency. The student-athlete will be permitted to practice and compete during the first week after they miss the session. After one week, a student-athlete will not be permitted to practice or compete.

General information about NCAA Drug Testing Program made available through Athletic Training Staff

Update List of NCAA banned substances.
Answer student-athletes' questions regarding these bannedsubstances.
Utilize NCAA Sports Science Educational materials.

Review of NCAA & UW-L Drug Test Consent Forms. These forms must be signed by each student-athlete in order to participate in intercollegiate athletics at UW-L.
Review of:

NCAA Drug Screening Procedure
Current list of banned substances & penalties for a positive test.

Review of UW-La Crosse Screening Program –procedure outlined below

Drug Screening Program

The drug screening program applies to all student-athletes, in-season and out-of-season. Participants may be tested for any and/or all of the banned substances, including alcohol. The list of banned substances will remain current with the NCAA list of banned substances. A regularly updated list of drugs and substances banned by the NCAA will be available for student-athlete review in the Athletic Trainers Office.

A. Banned substances will be from the following categories:

Psychomotor and Central Nervous System Stimulants
Anabolic Agents
Substances banned for specific sports (e.g. Rifle): Alcohol, Beta-Blockers, and related compounds
Diuretics
Street Drugs
Peptide Hormones and Analogues

B. Drug Screening Procedures

Selection of student-athletes to be screened: Approximately 20% of the total number of UW-L student-athletes will be screened each year. Student-athletes will be selected for testing through one of two methods.
Student-athletes will be selected on a random basis. The method of randomization will be determined to reflect consideration of the sport's potential for abuse and the sport's history of usage by the Athletics Director, Program Coordinator, and Committee members. The randomization numbers will be determined after rosters have been submitted for eligibility, and will not reflect any individual bias toward any individual student-athlete. The actual random selection will be done by the testing agency.
Student-athletes may also be selected due to suspicion of any staff member. Screenings based on suspicion will be conducted by virtue of evidence obtained by relevant university officials, which supports the conclusion that there is reasonable suspicion that an individual has violated the substance abuse policy. The student-athlete who is suspected of use will be immediately escorted to the Director of Athletics.
The coach will be notified of the list student-athletes who are to report for drug screening. All screening will be performed through the use of a urine specimen, or in the case of alcohol, a Breathalyzer test. At no time will a student-athlete be required to give blood for the purpose of testing.
In-season student-athletes: Those student-athletes who have been selected for screening will be notified personally. The student will sign a statement that they have been notified to report for screening, and will be immediately escorted and transported to the screening facility.
Out of season student-athletes: Student-athletes will be notified in any of the following ways: in-person by a representative from the Athletics Office, registered mail, by going to the Strength Center, or by telephone calls. The student will sign a statement that the have been notified to report for screening, and will be immediately escorted and transported to the screening facility.

If they are notified by registered mail, the student will have 24 hours to appear at the Athletics Office at which time they will sign a statement that they have been notified to report for screening, and will be escorted and transported to the screening facility.

Specimen collection protocol
Selected student-athletes must report to a designated area for specimen collection. The Director of Athletics will coordinate the specimen collection with the local collection agency following the protocol of the selected analyzing laboratory. This will be done to ensure confidentiality and accuracy of testing.
The Director of Athletics will be responsible for preparing the collection site for security, confidentiality, and efficiency of collection. The site may vary according to availability of facilities or other relevant factors.
A staff member upon arrival at the collection site will identify student-athletes. They will then declare all medication, prescription and non-prescription drugs, that they are presently taking on the Medication Form. All student-athletes will sign a student-athlete test site Signature Form. The Program Administrator will keep these forms on file.
The student-athlete will be given a specimen collection bottle or cup.
The student-athlete supplies a urine sample under the direct observation of the collection agent.
Should the student-athlete receive a positive test, they will be notified of that result immediately. The student will remain at the facility and be re-tested within thirty minutes. The student will then be transported back to campus.

C. Definition of a positive test (as per NCAA Policy):

Caffeine: concentration in the urine exceeds 15 micrograms/ml
Testosterone: ratio of the total concentration of the testosterone to that of Epitestosterone in the urine exceeds 6 to 1.
Marijuana and THC: concentration in the urine of THC metabolic exceeds 15 nanograms/ml
Alcohol: If the student-athlete has any positive test result for the use of alcohol suspected during any athletically related activity.

D. Other Situations That May Be Given Additional Consideration:

Blood Doping
Local Anesthetics
Asthma or exercise-Induced Bronchospasm
Corticosteroids
Manipulation of urine samples
Beta 2 Agonists

E. Notification of a Positive Test

Student-athletes will be immediately informed when they have received a positive test at the screening facility. They will then be re-tested within thirty minutes. If a second positive test result is received at that time, the student-athlete will be transported back to campus, and the screening agency will contact the Director of Athletics.

F. Consequences of a Positive Test.

Sanctions are separated based on whether they are alcohol related, or proscribed substance related. Violations of university, state and federal policies and laws regarding the use of alcohol and proscribed drugs are serious and will be dealt with as such. Violations are cumulative throughout the student's career at UW-L.
All test results will remain confidential and will be secured in the Director of Athletics Office. This information will be released to only those University staff and medical staff as defined earlier in this program on a need to know basis. The records will not be disclosed to others without the student's written consent.
Positive Test for Alcohol: (Screening performed only upon the suspicion of a University staff member during any athletically related activity).

First Violation:

Mandatory meeting with the Director of Athletics (or designee), Head Coach, Program Coordinator, and Team Physician.
The student-athlete is required to attend mandatory meeting at the University Counseling and the Counseling Services Center. Counseling and Testing Services will determine the content and duration of the required session(s).
Violation provides reasonable suspicion basis for more frequent drug screenings in the future.
Dismissed from that day's activity.
Student-athlete cannot return to activity until they have confirmed in writing that they have scheduled a meeting with Counseling and Testing Services. The Athletics and Counseling staffs will devise consent to Release Form. This form will include a space for the referring staff member to summarize the circumstances surrounding the referral. The form would state that the referral was from Athletics, and the student-athlete would return this form to the Athletics Office before they would be allowed to participate. Student must go to counseling and set-up an appointment, and counseling will forward written notification to the Athletics Director stating that an appointment has been scheduled.

NOTE: At any level of positive test, Counseling and Testing Services will allow a maximum of two weeks and one rescheduled session before they notify the Athletics Office that a student has missed their scheduled appointment. If Counseling and Testing Services notifies the Athletics Office of a student who has missed their appointment after this two week period, the student-athlete is immediately suspended from participation in practice and competition until Counseling and Testing Services notifies the Athletics Office that the session has been completed.

Second Violation:

Mandatory meeting with Director of Athletics (or designee), Head Coach, Program Coordinator, and Team Physician.
The student-athlete is required to attend mandatory assessment at the University Counseling and Testing Services Center. Counseling and Testing Services will determine the content and duration of the required session(s).
Immediate suspension from 30% of the team's next scheduled contests (including post-season competition, and can be carried over to the next season in that sport). This also includes all regularly scheduled athletically related team activities. If the student-athlete is a multi-sport participant, the suspension will continue into the next sport's season. The Appeals Board will determine the length of the suspension in the second sport with consideration given to calculating the appropriate number of contests to be missed in relationship to the number already missed in the sport the violation occurred.

Third Violation:

Immediate dismissal from participation in all UW-L Athletics until the student-athlete can provides written confirmation of proof of completion of a treatment program.

*Failure to Comply: Failure to comply with said policy, or refusal to participate in any aspects of the program, constitutes a violation of this policy. The sanction for refusal to comply with the guidelines of the program is the same sanction that would be appropriate for a positive test result at the same level in the screening program (first offense, second offense, or third offense). All violations are cumulative throughout the student-athlete's career. A violation due to a refusal to be tested will be recorded as a refusal to be tested, not as a positive result.

2. Positive Test For Proscribed Substances:

First Violation:

Mandatory meeting with the Director of Athletics Director (or Associate Director), Head Athletic Trainer, Head Coach, Counselor, and Team Physician.
Immediate suspension for 30% of the team's next scheduled contests (including post season competition, and can carry over to next season. If the student-athlete is a senior, that could mean that they would be finished for their career). This also includes all regularly scheduled athletically related team activities. If the student-athlete is a multi-sport participant, the suspension will continue into the next sport season. The Appeals Board will determine the length of the suspension in the second sport with consideration given to calculating the appropriate number of contests to be missed in relationship to the number already missed in the sport the violation occurred.
The student-athlete is required to attend a mandatory substance assessment session conducted by (or recommended by) the University Counseling and Testing Services, the content and duration of which will be determined by the Counseling and Testing Center.
The student-athlete will be subject to three unannounced drug/alcohol tests, paid for by the student-athlete, within 180 days of the violation. The Athletics Program as outlined in the Program will place these charges on the student's account. A first violation of the Drug Policy provides the basis for reasonable suspicion, which justifies future unannounced screening.

Second Violation:

Immediate and permanent dismissal from any further participation in intercollegiate athletics at UW-L.
At the student-athlete's request, an Appeals Hearing can be conducted at anytime before any permanent dismissal is imposed.

Payment for Drug Screenings

UW-L will fund all initial random and screenings due to suspicion granted the results are a confirmed negative. Following the initial positive test, the student-athlete is required and responsible for paying for all additional tests as required by this policy. The screening facility will charge UW-Athletics for all testing. The Department will bill students for these screenings. Failure to pay for these drug screening will result in an academic hold placed on University transcripts as well as a loss of athletic eligibility until said bill is paid.
Students will be expected to sign all necessary releases of information required in order to monitor care until successful completion of counseling or compliance with program guidelines.

Approximate Cost of Screenings

Screening for:

Alcohol (Breathalyzer Test) $23.00
Street Drugs (Marijuana, Cocaine, Barbiturates, etc.) $53.00
Performance Enhancers $200.00

Counseling & Testing

The contact person is Mary Torstveit, AOD Coordinator for Counseling and Testing. Wilder Hall 785-8073
The assessment would take 3-4 sessions. This examination will include social, familial, and personal drug use history. This personal information will not be released to the Athletic Department, however, athletics will be informed as to whether or not the student-athlete is showing up for his/her sessions. If outside counseling is needed, the counselor will refer the student-athlete to the appropriate outside agency.
Coulee Council on Alcohol and Other Chemical Abuse
Address: 921 West Ave, S Phone: 608/784-4177 Insurance Eligible.
Appendix A – Current List of Banned Substances is on file in the Athletic Training Office

University of Wisconsin - La Crosse

Department of Intercollegiate Athletics

ATHLETE STATEMENT OF UNDERSTANDING

I acknowledge that I have received a copy of The University of Wisconsin – La Crosse Department of Intercollegiate Athletics Drug Education/Testing Program. I acknowledge that I have read this document and understand the program's procedures and requirements.

I understand that by deciding to participate in UW-L Intercollegiate Athletics during the 2001-2002 academic year, I also specifically agree to provide urine samples under direct observation and to submit to testing for substance abuse and alcohol use, as outlined in the Program. In return for the opportunity to participate in intercollegiate athletics, I am making this Statement of Understanding.

I understand and agree that my failure or refusal to cooperate or comply with the Program's requirements, including providing urine samples, may ultimately result in my suspension or permanent dismissal from participation in the University's intercollegiate athletics program.

I hereby authorize the designated Team Physician to act as my physician for the limited purpose of receiving the results of the analysis of my urine for substance abuse, as provided by the Program.

I further authorize the designated Team Physician to disclose any positive test results only to the following persons and only under the circumstances provided by the Program: (a) counselors or other treatment agencies to which I may be referred, (b) my sport's head coach, (c) the Director of Athletics, or those acting for the Director, (d) the designated Team Physician, and (e) any other professional as deemed necessary per individual circumstances by the University or screening agency.

I understand that this consent will expire one calendar year from the date on which it is signed.

_________________________________________

Printed Name of Student-Athlete

___________________

Sport

_________________________________________

Signature of the Student-Athlete

___________________

Date

_________________________________________

Signature of a Parent/Guardian of a Minor

___________________

Date

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