Policy

Substance Abuse Testing

Testing shall be both “random” and “selective.”


Random tests shall be conducted on the student‐athlete population in each sport. These tests shall be administered on a regular basis, either announced or unannounced. The population selected may include all in a generalized group (i.e. position, offense or defense, etc.) or may include the entire team. Individual student‐athletes may also be chosen randomly through the use of a random number process.


**In addition to the randomly chosen individuals to be tested, athletes may be selectively chosen based on previous positive test results and/or reasonable suspicion.


Reasonable Suspicion is defined as: “A good faith belief, based on specific articulated facts or evidence, that a student‐athlete may have violated the university’s drug abuse policy and that drug testing may provide evidence relating to that violation.”


A student‐athlete is subject to reasonable suspicion testing when after review of the specific facts and circumstances in a particular student‐athlete’s case, a representative of Cumberland University concludes that there exists a reasonable suspicion that a student‐athlete has engaged or is engaging in conduct prohibited under this policy. The representative of Cumberland University must document these conclusions. The appointing authority or his/her designee will review this documentation and any other pertinent information. If the designated authority agrees with the documented findings of the representative of Cumberland University, the student‐athlete shall submit to a controlled substance test.


Drugs To Be Tested For

Tests may be conducted for amphetamines, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, cocaine metabolite, marijuana metabolites, methadone, methaqualone, opiates, phencyclidine, and anabolic steroids. Other substances banned by Cumberland University or State of Tennessee laws and regulations may also be selected.


Testing Procedures

Any student‐athlete found guilty of altering the results of the collection sample will be considered to have a positive test result. All collections will be done according to NAIA protocol.

Technique:

  • Urine collection will be monitored at the site by staff of the appropriate gender.

  • The individual(s) selected for urinalysis will submit one (1) sample of urine.

  • At the time of collection the authorized monitor will request a list of medications prescribed to the student‐athlete submitting the urine sample. The legitimacy of the list provided may be verified by confirmation from the prescribing physician.

  • The monitor will record in a log book the athlete's identification number, the date and the time the sample was submitted.

  • One of each individual's samples will be tested immediately using a standard 5‐panel, 7‐panel or similar instant test.

  • Urine testing positive may be sent to a local laboratory to determine the levels of substance in urine.

  • The student‐athlete will be financially responsible for expenses incurred in the investigation of positive tests.


Follow‐up Testing:

  • Subsequent sample collection, after an initial positive result, may be done at a local laboratory.

  • Chain of custody procedures will be utilized by the local laboratory.

  • The cost of evaluation and counseling/education and any follow‐up testing will be the sole responsibility of the athlete.