453.00 SUBSTANCE ABUSE POLICY FOR INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS

Introduction

The Department of Athletics at Cowley College believes that it has the responsibility of providing each student-athlete with a program that addresses their specific needs. To address those needs in the area of substance abuse, the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics has adopted a program that includes the following components. First, screening, then counseling, followed by sanctions.

The primary purposes of the substance abuse program are as follows:

1. To educate student-athletes as to the risks and dangers of substance abuse.
2. To prevent any substance use and/or abuse by Cowley College student-athletes.
3. To identify student-athletes in need of counseling services for substance abuse and assist such student-athletes in obtaining the necessary services.

The Athletic Director is responsible for administering the substance abuse program. A Substance Abuse Committee shall assist the Athletic Director in the development and implementation of the substance abuse program. The Substance Abuse Committee shall consist of the Athletic Director, the Head Athletic Trainer, the Assistant Athletic Trainer, the Vice President of Student Affairs, and the Student Life Counselor. The Substance Abuse Committee shall meet at least monthly during the months of August to April of each academic year. Meetings shall be held upon call of the Athletic Director, and either oral or written notice of the specific date and time will be given to each Committee member. Each member shall serve on the Committee as long as he or she remains under contract with Cowley College, or until his or her removal for any other reason. The Substance Abuse Committee shall at all times maintain the integrity of the substance abuse program and the privacy of the student athlete.

The Athletic Director, Head Athletic Trainer, Assistant Athletic Trainer, and coaching staff shall be responsible for informing the student-athletes about the substance abuse program. The student-athletes shall be presented the entire substance abuse policy with specific attention to methodology, drugs of consideration, and sanctions for violations of the substance abuse policy.

Compliance with the substance abuse program is mandatory for all student-athletes who participate in intercollegiate athletics at Cowley College. The conditions of the policy begin with the signing of the "Informed Consent" form and continue throughout the athlete's eligibility and participation at Cowley College.

Substances of Consideration

1. Amphetamines
2. Anabolic Steroids
3. Barbiturates
4. Benzodiazepines (Valium, etc.)
5. Cocaine
6. Opiates (Heroin, Morphine, etc.)
7. THC (Marijuana)
8. Any drug as determined by the Team Physician

Methodology

Substance abuse screening of student-athletes may be conducted at any time. Selection of student-athletes for substance abuse screening may occur in any of the following ways:

1. Random selection as determined by the Substance Abuse Committee.
2. Individual screening upon reasonable suspicion of a problem, at the request of the Athletic Director, Head or Assistant Athletic Trainer, and Head Coach.
3. Screening of an entire time of student athletes in a particular sport, upon reasonable suspicion of a problem at the request of the Athletic Director, Head or Assistant Athletic Trainer, and Head Coach.
4. Student-Athletes who had been charged with alcohol violations by the Arkansas City Police Department or Cowley College Residential Life Program.
5. Any student who had a positive drug screen will be subject to follow-up drug testing.

Qualified personnel at an approved site selected by the Substance Abuse Committee will conduct the screening. The Head Athletic Trainer will be responsible for the supervision of collection of individual specimens, and the maintenance of a documented "chain of custody" to ensure the identity and integrity of all specimens collected.

The results of the substance abuse screening will be reported to the Athletic Director. All records of the results of individual screening will be maintained in a locked file in the Head Athletic Trainer's office. No individuals other than those specified in this policy will have access to the results of the screening of any student-athlete. Any release of substance abuse screening information will be subject to guidelines of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, Buckley Amendment.

In order to ensure compliance with this policy, student athletes referred to the Student Life Counselor under this policy are required to sign an authorization to release protected health information from the Student Life Counselor to the Substance Abuse Committee, and to keep this authorization active for the duration of their involvement in counseling. Information to be released to the Substance Abuse Committee shall include appointment schedule, attendance, progress, and recommendations.

Sanctions

First Positive Test:
The Head Athletic Trainer will notify the student-athlete, Athletic Director, and Head Coach of a positive test result. The Athletic Director will notify the Vice President of Student Affairs to begin the referral process. Students will be mandated to meet with the Student Life Counselor for a one hour assessment session within two weeks of the violation and parents/guardians of the athlete will be notified. The Student Life Counselor will make a determination if an on-going treatment program is needed and report back to the Substance Abuse Committee of the mandate completion. If a student fails to complete the mandated appointment with the Student Life Counselor, they will be subject to suspension or removal from their athletic team.

Second Positive Test:
A second positive screening will result in the notification of the Athletic Director, the Head Coach, the offending student-athlete, and his or her parents or guardian. The offending student-athlete will then be required to complete five hours of mandatory drug education counseling sessions with the Student Life Counselor. Failure to complete the mandatory sessions will result in immediate suspension from all athletic competition.

Third Positive Test:
A third offence will result in the notification of the Athletic Director and immediate suspension of the offending student-athlete from all team activities, and the notification of his or her parents or guardian. The student must complete twelve hours of drug treatment counseling sessions with the Student Life Counselor. Once the sessions have been completed, the Student Life Counselor, the student, the parents or guardians, the head coach, and the Athletic Director will meet to determine progress and eligibility for the athlete.

Additional Positive Test:
An additional positive test for drugs will result in immediate dismissal from the athletic team and loss of scholarship. Parents or guardians will be notified to pick up the student from school and in-patient treatment will be recommended.

It will be the responsibility of each head coach to impose any further sanctions other than those stated in the Substance Abuse Policy.

Adopted July 21, 2008