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Student-athletes risk hefty suspensions from team if drug and alcohol tests are positive

According to the athletic department’s Substance Abuse Education and Testing Program, a 14-page policy, athletes are subjected to random drug testing.

Elise Kramer, a certified athletic trainer for Fresno State, said that drug testing is random and that athletes can be tested on any given day.

“It’s random once a month,” Kramer said.

The athletic department tests for controlled substances, anabolic steroids, performance-enhancing drugs and other drugs that violate the NCAA’s bylaws.

“There are certain things we look for,” Kramer said, “Predominantly, they are NCAA prohibited drugs: amphetamines, street drugs, barbiturates and alcohol.”

Drug testing is conducted for the whole academic year including the summer months. Ten percent of athletes from each team are tested monthly through random selection. Additional testing methods include team testing, in which every athlete is tested.

Other testing practices are preseason and postseason testing, which are conducted before and after each sport’s season. Postseason testing will only be conducted if a team or athlete is eligible for postseason play.

Athletes may also be tested if there is reasonable suspicion that players are abusing drugs.

“Reasonable suspicion is anytime there is somebody concerned for one of the student-athletes, whether it is the strength coach or one of the department personnel,” Kramer said. “If they’ve been told something or they suspect something going on with a program, then a team can be tested at any given day, any given time, for reasonable suspicion.”

A follow-up drug test will also be given to athletes who have failed a test in the past. Athletes who are hoping to rejoin their squads after testing positive will also be tested for re-entry.

Student-athletes who are still under scholarship, but have burned out their eligibility are also tested.

Athletes are tested in the mornings between 5:45 and 7:15 a.m. at the drug-testing site. Players are asked to give a urine sample under a strict and closely watched procedure. An athletic department official then collects the samples and ships them out the following day to Redwood Toxicology, which will assess them.

If an athlete fails to show up for their scheduled drug testing time, it is considered a positive drug test. Athletes who test positive are punished by the athletic department.

Athletes will be suspended for 10 percent of the season if they test positive for the first time. They cannot participate in games or events, but they are allowed to practice. Student-athletes will also be required to participate in an education program and must also attend meetings. Athletes who test positive for the first time will be tested monthly for one year.

After a second positive testing, athletes are suspended for 20 percent of the season. They cannot play nor can they practice with their team. Again, they must complete an assessment and attend meetings.

If a student-athlete tests positive a third time, they are immediately kicked off the team. Their scholarship will be stripped as well.

Using drugs can possibly end a student-athlete’s college career, but it can also cost them a free education.