Prohibited Drugs
All illegal drugs are strictly prohibited in the Converse University Athletic Department. Student-athletes, during the period of their eligibility to participate in intercollegiate athletics, may not use the prohibited drugs outlined in Appendix A. If an otherwise prohibited drug is being used at the prescription of a physician, the patient may continue to participate in athletics with proper medical documentation from the prescribing physician. See page 25 for NCAA Banned Drug List.
Program Description
The basic test to be used for drug screening is a urinalysis. However, other types may be utilized to determine the presence of drugs listed in Appendix A. All student-athletes will be subject to random testing at any time during the academic year. This testing can occur during the traditional and/or nontraditional season for the respective sport.
Consequences of Drug Policy Violations
This policy is the standard consequence for a positive drug test. If a coach would like a stricter policy for their team, the coach will submit a copy of their policy to the athletic training department. Coaches will inform the athletic training department if they accept the standard policy or have their own policy they would like their team to follow. If the coach chooses their own policy, student-athletes will be alerted of that policy during the first team meeting.
- First Offense:
- Minimum 20% suspension from games
- Unable to return to participation until completion of drugs & alcohol counseling
- Subject to unannounced drug testing for the remainder of year
- Offense will roll over into next season
- Second Offense:
- Minimum 50% suspension from games
- Unable to return to participation until completion of 10 hours of community service approved by athletic directors
- Subject to unannounced drug testing for the remainder of year
- Offense will roll over into next season
- Third Offense
- Suspension of an entire season or dismissed from team
Honesty Clause
If a student-athlete comes forward before the first offense for participating in recreational drug use, they may fall under the honesty policy. This does NOT apply following a positive test result.
- Honesty Clause:
- 10% suspension of game
- Suspended from participation until the athlete has started counseling
Medical Exceptions
The NCAA recognizes that some banned substances are used for legitimate medical purposes. Accordingly, the NCAA allows exceptions to be made for those student-athletes with a documented medical history demonstrating the need for medical use of a banned substance. Exceptions may be granted for substances included in the following classes of banned substances: stimulants (including those used to treat ADHD); beta-blockers; beta-2 agonists; diuretics; peptide hormones, growth factors, related substances, and mimetics; anabolic agents; hormone and metabolic modulators; and narcotics.
If stimulants are prescribed to treat a student-athlete with ADHD, the ADHD reporting form must be completed by the prescribing physician.
NCAA policy does not provide for a medical exception for cannabinoids or medical cannabis, which are not currently legal in the state of South Carolina.