Program Overview

Introduction to the Athletics Drug Education Screening, Counseling, and Testing Program

The Athletics Drug Education Screening, Counseling, and Testing Program at East Carolina University is designed for members of intercollegiate athletic teams, cheerleading teams, and dance teams. The program is based on the premise that drugs and athletics do not mix, as many drugs can pose serious risks to the health of the athlete and may endanger other persons in contact with the drug user.

Purpose Statement

The purpose of this program is to deter the use of drugs or prohibited substances, assist in identifying athletes who use prohibited substances through a screening program, promote an education program that informs student-athletes about substance abuse, assist in the rehabilitation of student-athletes found to be misusing prohibited substances, and remove any student-athlete from ECU's athletic programs who is found to have violated the requirements of this regulation.

Applicability

The program is separate and distinct from the NCAA drug testing program, but ECU will count a positive test administered by the NCAA as a positive test result in the program. All student-athlete participants in ECU intercollegiate athletic programs, dance, and cheerleading teams must comply with the terms of this program on drug education, screening, and counseling.

Basic Program Goals

The program aims to:

• Deter the use of drugs or prohibited substances
• Assist in identifying athletes who use prohibited substances through a screening program
• Promote an education program that informs student-athletes about substance abuse
• Assist in the rehabilitation of student-athletes found to be misusing prohibited substances
• Remove any student-athlete from ECU's athletic programs who is found to have violated the requirements of this regulation

Educational Program

The educational program is an ongoing effort designed to help student-athletes avoid any involvement in prohibited substances. Each member of every athletic team shall participate in prescribed drug education activities, in addition to any other alcohol and other drug prevention activities that all ECU students receive as part of their student experience.

Prohibited Substances

A student, during the period of his or her eligibility to participate in intercollegiate athletics, may not use the substances specified in Appendix A to this regulation. If an otherwise prohibited drug is being used pursuant to a lawfully issued prescription under the supervision and authority of a licensed physician or other medical professional authorized to provide medical prescription, the student may continue to participate in athletics if the athlete meets the requirements as set forth by the NCAA concerning medical exceptions to impermissible drug use.

Safe Harbor Provision for Tests Outside the NCAA Testing Program

Any student-athlete may seek assistance for a substance abuse problem at any time by contacting his or her coach, a departmental staff member, sports medicine, life skills, a student development employee, or a representative of the ECU Division of Student Affairs. Voluntary use of available assistance before the occurrence of any positive drug test and before imposition of any sanction under this regulation shall not be considered, standing alone, as reasonable cause for testing.

Screening Program

The screening program includes:

• Unannounced random testing
• Testing in response to individualized suspicion
• Post-season/Championship Screening
• Re-entry Testing
• Pre-Season Screening
• Mandatory Testing following Positive Test Result

Consequences of Impermissible Drug Use

When prohibited substance use has been verified through positive test results or when an equivalent determination is made as a result of a student-athlete's failure to cooperate or comply with the program, the following shall apply:

• First occasion: Confidential meeting, probation, mandatory counseling and rehabilitation, mandatory testing, and written notice
• Second occasion: Continuation of sanctions, suspension, mandatory counseling and rehabilitation, written notice, and meeting with Director of Athletics
• Third occasion: Continuation of sanctions, cancellation of eligibility, written notice, and meeting with Director of Athletics

Procedures for Imposing Serious Sanctions

Sanctions may be imposed only in accordance with the procedures prescribed in this section, including participation in team activities during appeal, immediate administrative action, request for appeal, hearing, and recommendation to the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs.

General Procedures

The Department of Athletics has the right to terminate the student-athlete's privilege to participate on a team for reasons other than a violation of this regulation. If a student-athlete violates any university, departmental, or team policy or rule other than this regulation and such violation occurs in conjunction with an alleged violation of this regulation, the other violation(s) may be addressed under such other policies or rules.

Confidentiality of Information Concerning Drug Use

Information concerning a student's alleged or confirmed improper use of drugs, solicited or received pursuant to implementation of this program, shall be restricted to institutional personnel and to parents or guardians of student-athletes.

Improper Provision of Drugs by Institutional Personnel

No officer, employee, or agent of East Carolina University may supply to any student-athlete any drug that may endanger an athlete or affect athletic ability or performance, or otherwise encourage or induce any student improperly to use drugs, except as specific drugs may be prescribed by qualified medical personnel for the treatment of individual students.