Oct. 6, 2005

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Chapel Hill -- The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has established a zero tolerance policy for anabolic agents and strengthened its overall substance abuse policy for student-athletes. The enhancements were enacted after a nine-month review of the UNC Department of Athletics' substance abuse policy that had been in effect since 1988 and revised in 1997.

"Anabolic steroid abuse is a direct threat to fair play at all levels, but it is a particularly dangerous concern for young athletes," says Director of Athletics Dick Baddour. "That is one reason we have adopted a zero tolerance policy toward its use. We will not condone any student-athlete who compromises our competitive integrity and puts his or her health in jeopardy in doing so. The message is clear: if you take this shortcut, you will not be able to play at the University of North Carolina."

The University also took steps to bolster its testing, education, counseling and disciplinary sanctions for the use of other banned substances.

A campus-wide committee conducted an extensive review of the previous policy and unanimously recommended the enhancements to Chancellor James Moeser. The group included representatives of the Faculty Committee on Athletics, the Division of Student Affairs, Student Health Service, University Counsel, the Department of Athletics and the Faculty Athletics Representative. Members of the Governor's Institute on Alcohol and Substance Abuse worked with the committee and endorsed the policy.

UNC will administer more tests than it has under the previous policy to individual student-athletes and entire teams on a random basis throughout the year, both in-season and out-of-season, and all tests will be observed.

When a student-athlete tests positive for a banned substance, the student-athlete will be placed on probation and required to sign a performance contract with the University to set a clear standard for behavior, better monitor after-care and determine whether or not the student-athlete will be allowed to return to practice and/or competition. Lack of compliance with the terms of the performance contract may result in suspension or permanent loss of athletic eligibility.

"We expect our student-athletes to be accountable for their actions," says Baddour. "The performance contract is a key part of the program. A positive test demonstrates an issue with substance abuse, and the performance contract gives us a barometer to measure how serious the student is about correcting his or her behavior. We are here primarily to help students develop in all aspects of their lives. Yes, our policy will continue to have stringent sanctions, but it is imperative that we also offer those young people who are faced with a problem the means to educate and help themselves."

A positive test for a banned substance other than anabolic agents requires that a student-athlete undergo a counseling and intervention program designed by UNC Student Health Service. The plan includes an assessment of the extent of the problem, development of a treatment plan and monitoring. Each student-athlete will have an individual plan specifically designed to assist him or her.

A student-athlete who tests positive for a banned substance any time during or after a period of probation imposed under the policy will be suspended for at least 50 percent of one season. A student-athlete who tests positive for a banned substance at any time during or after a suspension imposed under the policy will have his or her athletic eligibility terminated, pending student appeal. The Director of Athletics is empowered to revoke eligibility upon any positive test if deemed warranted.

A committee established by the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs would hear the appeal and advise the Vice Chancellor on the disposition of the appeal. No member of the department of athletics is eligible to sit on the appeals committee.

The new policy, which takes effect on Oct. 10, 2005, emphasizes drug education and counseling for those student-athletes who test positive.

"The intervention program has been enhanced to include a comprehensive assessment conducted by a psychiatrist trained in substance abuse for college students," says Dean of Students Melissa Exum. "Once the assessment has been completed, a personalized treatment plan will be developed, which includes a more deliberate monitoring system. All of these elements combined have shown to greatly increase the likelihood of changing behaviors and providing the student an opportunity to learn how to make more effective choices."

UNC law professor Lissa Broome says, "This revised policy had the unanimous endorsement of the Faculty Athletics Committee. We think the revised policy will be more effective in changing inappropriate behavior than the prior policy. It increases the accountability of our student-athletes and provides appropriate education, treatment and counseling."

Broome is Chair of the Faculty Committee on Athletics, a committee that is elected by the faculty at large and advises the Chancellor on matters related to intercollegiate athletics.

Dr. Jacob Lohr, professor of pediatrics at UNC and an attending pediatrician at UNC Hospitals, is the executive director of the Governor's Institute on Substance and Alcohol Abuse. Dr. Lohr offered the Institute's expertise to the University committee that was reviewing the previous policy. The advisory group included past and current members of the state's Physician Effectiveness Committee and Dr. Michael Durfee, past Chairman of the Board of the Institute, who is a recognized expert on youth substance abuse.

"The committee has written a policy that was carefully constructed and reviewed and targets education, prevention, support, intervention, treatment and accountability," says Dr. Lohr. "The policy protects the long-term health and safety of the student-athletes, rather than just keeping them eligible to compete. It provides them the education and counseling necessary to change behavior, yet has sanctions to make the student-athletes accountable for their actions."

The Governor's Institute on Substance and Alcohol Abuse is a private, non-profit group not affiliated with UNC Hospitals. Governor Jim Martin established the Institute in 1990.

"This enhanced policy is a result of a detailed and collaborative effort on the part of faculty and staff at the University as well as health-care professionals from UNC and the state who specialize in substance abuse issues," says Chancellor James Moeser. "I am pleased to accept the recommendations from the committee, and especially thank Dick Baddour and the Faculty Committee on Athletics for leading this expansive review of the department of athletics' previous policy. As a result, we have a program that has components of deterrence, education, assistance and discipline. It maintains the integrity of the University in demanding a level of accountability from our student-athletes, while also having a sense of compassion in addressing a personal health crisis."