Athletic Awareness Information

RANDOM TESTING OF ATHLETES FOR DRUGS/STEROIDS

In accordance with Board policy, the following procedures are established for the random testing of pupils who are members of athletic teams for drugs/steroids. The Policy and these regulations apply to all high school students participating in interscholastic athletics.

Consent

Students wishing to play sports must sign a form consenting to random urine testing and must obtain the written consent of their parents/guardians for such testing.

Random Testing

Players will be randomly tested during their sport’s season. The names will be randomly selected via a computerized process and will represent 2% of the athletes. For one week each season, the 2% may be increased to 10% of the athletes. The students selected shall be notified and tested that same day. All selected names shall go back into the computerized process.

Prescription Drugs

Any prescribed medications that the student is currently taking must be identified by providing a copy of that prescription or a doctor’s authorization.

Testing Procedures

The student who is being tested shall complete a specimen control form and shall be assigned a reference number. After leaving all books and materials outside, the student shall enter an empty bathroom and may be accompanied by a monitor. The monitor shall be a staff member, of the same sex, who is designated to supervise the collection and security of the urine specimen. The specimen shall be collected in accordance with approved procedures for urine testing.

Testing Samples

The urine samples shall be sent to an independent laboratory, which shall perform a ten panel screening test for amphetamines, cocaine, marijuana, steroids, etc.

Chain of Custody, Confidentiality and Access

The district shall develop strict procedures regarding the chain of custody and access to test results. The laboratory shall not know the identity of the students whose specimens it tests. The laboratory shall be authorized to mail written test reports only to the medical inspector, principal and S.A.R.P. supervisor. The laboratory will also be instructed to provide test results to these personnel by telephone only after appropriate security procedures have been followed. Only the superintendent, S.A.R.P. supervisor, principal, medical inspector, board attorneys and athletic directors shall have access to test results and the results shall not be kept for more than one year.

Results and Options

If a sample test is positive, a second test shall be administered as soon as possible to confirm the result. If the second test is negative, no further action shall be taken. If the second test is positive, the athlete’s parents/guardians shall be notified and the principal shall convene a meeting with the student and parents/guardians, at which time the student shall be given the option of (1) being evaluated to determine the extent and severity of use and comply with the recommendation that includes urinalysis and cannot continue to participate in the sport until medically cleared, (2) suffering suspension for athletics for the remainder of the current season and the next athletic season. The student shall be retested before the start of the next athletic season for which he/she is eligible.

Second and Subsequent Offenses

A second offense shall result in automatic imposition of option (2); a third offense shall result in suspension for the remainder of the current season and the next two athletic seasons.

Legal references:

“Vernonia School District 47j v. Action, “ 115 S. Ct. 2386; 132 L. Ed. 2d 564 (1995)515 U.S.646,132 L.Ed 2d564
N.J.A.C. 6A:32-7.1 et seq. 42 U.S.C. Section 290 dd-3 42 U.S.C. Section 290 ee-3 42 C.F.R. Part 2	Student Records Confidentiality Confidentiality Patient Privacy