Introduction

The following policy statement has been adopted and shall be administered by the Johns Hopkins University Athletic Department. Johns Hopkins University reserves the right to make changes to this policy as needed, and this Policy should not be construed to create a contract between student-athlete and Johns Hopkins University. Please note this policy represents the Johns Hopkins University Drug/Alcohol Education & Testing Program, which is separate and distinct from the NCAA drug-testing program (including all sanction phases). Information regarding the NCAA drug-testing program is available at www.ncaa.org.
 
Johns Hopkins University is concerned with the health, safety and welfare of the student-athletes who participate in its programs and represent the college in intercollegiate athletics.  Substance abuse is one of the most important issues facing athletics and society today. The use of illegal drugs, misuse of legal drugs and dietary supplements, use of performance-enhancing substances, use of alcohol and inappropriate use of tobacco are inconsistent with the standards expected of student-athletes at Johns Hopkins University. Substance use and abuse in sport can pose risks to a student-athlete’s health/safety and negatively affect their academic and athletic performance.  Substance use and abuse in sport may also compromise the integrity of athletic competition and the ideals of Johns Hopkins University.

For the purposes of this policy, “student-athlete” shall mean any student at Johns Hopkins University who participates in any Athletics Department sponsored Division I or Division III sporting event and/or practice.

Purpose

The Athletic Department believes that random drug testing and testing based on reasonable suspicion are appropriate to ensure the health, safety and welfare of our student-athletes, to promote fair competition in intercollegiate athletics, to affirm compliance with applicable rules and regulations on drug and alcohol abuse, to identify student-athletes who are improperly using drugs or alcohol and to assist them before they harm themselves or others. Furthermore, the Athletic Department recognizes its responsibility to provide educational programming that will support a positive decision-making process. 

The intent of these policies is to prevent substance use and abuse by student-athletes through education, testing, and professional guidance.

• Education – providing student-athletes and athletic staff with accurate information about the problems associated with substance use in sport, promoting health and safety in sport;
• Testing – analyzing biological specimens to detect prohibited substances student-athletes may introduce to their bodies and associated sanctions resulting from use detailed in this policy; and
• Professional Referral – facilitating appropriate treatment and rehabilitation of student-athletes.

Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Education

Participants who are educated about substance use in sport are more likely to make informed and intelligent decisions about usage. Johns Hopkins University will conduct an ongoing drug and alcohol education program for student-athletes every year. These educational programs will be designed to review athletic department, institutional, conference and national governing body policies related to alcohol, tobacco and other drugs. Appropriate educational materials will be made available to participants including this Policy and a list of banned substances. At times, it will be deemed mandatory by the department that all student-athletes are required to attend programming. Make-up sessions will be available for participants who must miss a scheduled educational session for an approved reason. In addition to educating student-athletes and athletics staff about the various policies, an annual review of the institutional drug-testing program will be conducted. Dietary supplements and their inherent risks will be discussed. In addition, special educational programs may be arranged to provide participants the opportunity to learn more about the dangers of specific substances.

Consent to Participate

As a condition of participation in intercollegiate athletics at Johns Hopkins University, each student-athlete will be required to sign a consent form agreeing to undergo drug and alcohol testing and authorizing release of test results in accordance with this policy (See Appendix A).  By signing this consent form, the student-athlete understands it is the right of every sport team to administer specific team policies that include additional or more severe sanctions than that of this department-wide policy. Failure to consent to or to comply with the requirements of this policy may result in suspension from participation or termination of eligibility to participate in intercollegiate athletics at Johns Hopkins University. Each student-athlete annually will be given a copy of the institutional policy and will be required to participate in an informative session describing alcohol, tobacco and other drug education and testing policies at the beginning of each year of participation. Additionally, student-athletes have the opportunity to ask any questions regarding the information contained in the policy, the testing program, or other related issues prior to signing the drug-testing consent form.
 

Tobacco Policy

The use of tobacco products is prohibited by all game personnel (e.g. coaches, student-athletes, athletic trainers, managers and game officials) in all sports during practice and competition. A student-athlete who violates this tobacco policy will be sanctioned for a “first offense” as outlined in the penalty section of this policy.  The Director of Athletics or his/her designee will sanction other game personnel who violate this tobacco policy on a case-by-case basis.

Dietary Supplements

Many dietary supplements or ergogenic aids contain banned substances. Oftentimes the labeling of dietary supplements is not accurate and is misleading. Terms such as “healthy” or “all natural” do not mean dietary supplements do not contain a banned substance or are safe to take. Using dietary supplements may cause positive drug tests.  Student-athletes who are currently taking dietary supplements or intend to take any are required to review the product with their assigned athletic trainer.  Student-athletes are solely responsible for any substance that they ingest. All student-athletes are encouraged to use the Drug Free Sport Resource Exchange Center (REC) to obtain current and accurate information on dietary supplements or ergogenic aids. All inquiries to the REC are confidential. The Resource Exchange Center may be accessed toll free at 1-877-202-0769, or at www.dfsaxis.com/users/login.  The Web site requires a password, which corresponds to Johns Hopkins divisional affiliation: ncaa1 or ncaa3.

By signing the Johns Hopkins University Drug/Alcohol Education & Testing Program Consent Form, the student-athlete:

• Acknowledges that he/she understands that they are to disclose all dietary supplements used to their assigned athletic trainer; 
• Acknowledges the aforementioned policies and statements, and fully accepts the detrimental and possibly permanent defects caused by the use of dietary supplements;
• Fully accepts that they have been made aware of the Johns Hopkins University and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) policies with regard to the use of dietary supplements;
• Accepts any and all liability if they have in the past used, continue to use, and/or use at anytime in the future, dietary supplements in any form; and releases the Johns Hopkins University, its agents, and all personnel of any and all responsibility and liability related to such use.

Prohibited Drugs/Substances

The drug screening process may include analysis of, but is not limited to, the NCAA list of banned-drug classes (See Appendix B). For an ongoing updated listing of the banned-drug list view the NCAA’s web site at www.ncaa.org. Prohibited substances that Johns Hopkins University may screen for include, without limitation, marijuana, PCP, opiates, MDMA (Ecstasy), amphetamines/methamphetamines, cocaine, masking agents/diuretics, and anabolic steroids. Johns Hopkins University requires that all student-athletes keep the athletic training staff and/or team physician aware of any prescribed drugs and dietary supplements that he or she may be taking. Johns Hopkins University reserves the right to test for substances not contained on the NCAA banned-drug list and may test at cut off levels that differ from the NCAA program.

Specimen Analysis

The drug screening process may include, but are not limited to, the following biological specimen collection methods:

• Urine Testing. The collection process and protocol can be found in Appendix C.

Selected Types of Drug Testing

• Unannounced Random Testing

All student-athletes who have signed the institutional drug-testing consent form and are listed on the institutional squad list are subject to unannounced random testing.  The National Center for Drug Free Sport will select student-athletes from the official institutional squad lists by using a computerized random number program.

• Pre-season Screening

Student-athletes are subject to pre-season drug testing and may be notified of such by the Director of Athletics or his/her designee at any time prior to their first competition. 

• Reasonable Suspicion Screening

A student-athlete may be subject to testing at any time when the Director of Athletics or his/her designee determines there is individualized reasonable suspicion to believe the participant is using a prohibited drug. Such reasonable suspicion may be based on objective information as determined by the Director of Athletics or by an Associate/Assistant Athletic Director, Head Coach, Assistant Coach, Head Athletic Trainer, or Assistant Athletic Trainer and deemed reliable by the Director of Athletics or his/her designee. Reasonable suspicion may include, without limitation, 1) observed possession or use of substances appearing to be prohibited drugs, 2) arrest or conviction for a criminal offense related to the possession or transfer of prohibited drugs or substances, or 3) observed abnormal appearance, conduct or behavior reasonably interpretable as being caused by the use of prohibited drugs or substances. Among the indicators which may be used in evaluating a student-athlete’s abnormal appearance, conduct or performance are: class attendance, significant GPA changes, athletic practice attendance, increased injury rate or illness, physical appearance changes, academic/athletic motivational level, emotional condition, mood changes, and legal involvement (See Appendix D). If suspected, the Director of Athletics or his/her designee will notify the student-athlete and the student-athlete must stay with a member of their coaching staff, the athletics administration staff, or the sports medicine staff, until an adequate specimen is produced.  Note: The possession and/or use of illegal substances may be determined by means other than urinalysis.  When an individual is found to be in possession and/or using such substances, he/she will be subject to the same procedures that would be followed in the case of a positive urinalysis.

• Re-entry Testing

A student-athlete, who has had his or her eligibility to participate in intercollegiate sports suspended as a result of a drug or alcohol violation, will be required to undergo re-entry drug and/or alcohol testing prior to regaining eligibility. The Head Athletic Trainer or his/her designee shall arrange for re-entry testing after the counselor or specialist involved in the student-athlete’s case indicates that re-entry into the intercollegiate sports program is appropriate.

• Follow-up Testing

A student-athlete who has returned to participation in intercollegiate sports following a positive drug test under this policy may be subject to follow-up testing. Testing will be unannounced and will be required at a frequency determined by the Athletic Director or his/her designee in consultation with the counselor or specialist involved in the student-athlete’s case.

Notification and Reporting for Collections

The student-athlete will be notified of and scheduled for testing by the institution.  Notifications of testing shall consist of a face-to-face meeting with the student-athlete, a phone conversation with the student-athlete, and/or an electronic mail notification that has been confirmed by the student-athlete. The Head Athletic Trainer or his/her designee will notify the student-athlete of the date and time to report to the testing station and will have the student-athlete read and sign the Student-Athlete Notification Form (See Appendix E). Failure to report for a drug test after receiving notification (as defined in testing day procedures) will be considered a positive test and sanctions will be applied accordingly.
 
The Head Athletic Trainer or his/her designee will be in the testing station to certify the identity of the student-athletes selected. Student-athletes shall provide picture identification when entering the drug-testing station. The Head Athletic Trainer or his/her designee must remain in the collection station until all student-athletes complete the collection process.
 
ALL COLLECTIONS AND/OR TESTING UNDER THIS POLICY SHALL BE OBSERVED COLLECTIONS.  

Laboratory Analysis/Reporting Results

Urine samples will be collected and sent to an independent SAMHSA and/or World Anti-Doping Agency approved laboratory for analysis. Johns Hopkins University hereby certifies that any laboratory it engages for the testing of performance enhancing drugs/anabolic agents will abide by the World Anti-Doping Agency code of ethics as it relates to the testing of samples. Furthermore, Johns Hopkins University hereby certifies that no sample will be sent to a laboratory for the sole purpose of monitoring an athlete for the detection of performance enhancing substances in order to circumvent a positive drug test. Each sample will be tested in accordance with this policy to determine if banned drugs or substances are present and the appropriate sanctions will apply for positive results.
 
If the laboratory reports a specimen as substituted, manipulated or adulterated, the student-athlete will be deemed to have refused to submit to testing and treated as if the test were positive for a banned substance.
 
All student-athlete information and records associated with the Johns Hopkins University drug- testing program will be confidential and will be released only to those individuals with a legitimate need to know.

Sanctions

Refusal to sign a consent form prohibits a student-athlete from participating in any intercollegiate sport at Johns Hopkins University. The following are subject to the sanctions defined below: 1) Any student-athlete who tests positive for a banned substance 2) Any student-athlete who refuses to submit to a required drug test 3) Any student-athlete who violates the terms of the safe harbor program as described in this policy shall be subject to the sanctions below 4) A positive result in the NCAA, and /or Conference testing program 5) A student-athlete who is found to have possession of a banned substance on or off campus 6) Admitted use by a student-athlete after notification. In the event of admitted use, a sanction may be applied even if the drug test result is below the threshold level used by the University. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, a member of the JHU Medical Staff, in their sole discretion, reserves the right to withhold a student-athlete from practice and/or competition if such practice and/or competition would pose a threat to the health and safety of the student-athlete or his/her competitors.  However, any decision to restrict a student-athlete from practice and/or competition for health and safety concerns must be based on credible evidence. Only a member of the JHU Medical Staff may release a student-athlete to resume competition and/or practice.  All violations of this policy are cumulative. In addition to the athletic department sanctions listed below, as a student of Johns Hopkins University, the student-athlete may be subjected to harsher university penalties. As in the case with any violation of the student conduct code, any offense, even a first offense, can be punished with sanctions up to and including expulsion, depending on the nature and circumstances of the violation, the prior record of the student, and other factors deemed pertinent. 
 
Johns Hopkins University is under no obligation to follow the steps below; it may in its discretion and consistent with applicable policy take any action in response to violations of this and/or other Johns Hopkins University policies, up to and including expulsion, at any time and regardless of whether or not there has been a prior offense.

• First Offense:

The Drug Testing Coordinator will schedule a confidential meeting with the student-athlete, the Assistant Director of Athletics for Compliance or his/her designee and the appropriate head coach to review the positive drug test results. The team physician may also be present if deemed necessary by the Director of Athletics or his/her designee. The student-athlete will be required to notify their parent(s) or legal guardian(s) of their offense via email with the Drug Testing Coordinator and Assistant Director of Athletics for Compliance copied. The student-athlete will initially be referred for a mandatory on-campus counseling assessment at the Johns Hopkins University counseling center. As a part of this assessment, the student-athlete will be expected to discuss the nature and extent of his/her involvement with prohibited drugs and/or alcohol. The counselor shall determine the appropriate form(s) of intervention and rehabilitation needed by the student-athlete based on the circumstances of the case which may include additional testing.  All costs associated with any counseling session shall be the sole responsibility of the student-athlete. Failing to comply with the counselor’s directions for treatment will be classified as a second offense. In addition, a member of the JHU Medical Staff, in their sole discretion, reserves the right to withhold a student-athlete from practice and/or competition if such practice and/or competition would pose a threat to the health and safety of the student-athlete or his/her competitors. The student-athlete will also be subject to follow-up testing for the remainder of their eligibility. Additional testing will be unannounced and will be required at a frequency determined by the Director of Athletics or his/her designee. The student-athlete will also be required to perform 20 hours of community service.

• Second Offense:

The Drug Testing Coordinator will schedule a confidential meeting with the student-athlete, the Assistant Director of Athletics for Compliance or his/her designee and the appropriate head coach to review the positive drug test results. The team physician may also be present if deemed necessary by the Director of Athletics or his/her designee. The student-athlete will be required to notify their parent(s) or legal guardian(s) of their offense via email with the Drug Testing Coordinator and Assistant Director of Athletic for Compliance copied. Upon notification of a second positive offense the student-athlete will be immediately suspended from practice and competition in any intercollegiate sport at Johns Hopkins University for the equivalent of 20% of a season of competition. The suspension shall be served in the defined championship or traditional season. If the suspension not be fulfilled in one season the remainder will carry over to the next season. The student-athlete will be referred for a mandatory on-campus counseling assessment at the Johns Hopkins University counseling center. As part of this assessment, the student-athlete will be expected to discuss the nature and extent of his/her involvement with prohibited drugs and/or alcohol and the counselor shall determine the appropriate form(s) of intervention and rehabilitation needed by the student-athlete based on the circumstances of the case which may include additional testing. All costs associated with any counseling session shall be the sole responsibility of the student-athlete.  Failing to comply with the counselor’s directions for treatment will be classified as a third offense. The student-athlete will also be subject to follow-up testing for the remainder of their eligibility. The student-athlete will also be required to perform 20 hours of community service. Additional testing will be unannounced and will be required at a frequency determined by the Director of Athletics or his/her designee. 

• Any Subsequent Offense after Second:

The Drug Testing Coordinator will schedule a confidential meeting with the student-athlete, the Assistant Director of Athletics for Compliance or his/her designee and the appropriate head coach to review the positive drug test results. The student-athlete will be suspended for one full calendar year (365 days) from practice or competition in all sports at Johns Hopkins University with the possibility of dismissal from any and all JHU athletics programs. The student-athlete will be referred for a mandatory on-campus counseling assessment at the Johns Hopkins University counseling center. As part of this assessment, the student-athlete will be expected to discuss the nature and extent of his/her involvement with prohibited drugs and/or alcohol. The counselor shall determine the appropriate form(s) of intervention and rehabilitation needed by the student-athlete based on the circumstances of the case which may include additional testing. All costs associated with any counseling session shall be the sole responsibility of the student-athlete. Consistent with all University and NCAA regulations, the student-athlete will be subject to cancellation of athletic financial aid for the subsequent semester, if any, in the current academic year and non-renewal of the athletic financial aid for the ensuing academic year. The Director of Athletics or his/her designee will notify the student-athlete’s parent(s) or legal guardian(s) by telephone and in writing of such decision. 

Individual Team Policy

Head Coaches of NCAA intercollegiate athletic teams have the exclusive prerogative and authority to determine which medical and academically qualified individuals trying out for a varsity team will become and/or remain members of the team.  Exercise of this prerogative is based upon consideration of a number of factors, including ability. Coaches are fully aware of the educational and rehabilitative focus of this Policy, and they are also of the aware of the impact of illicit drugs may have on an individual’s ability to perform in practice or competition. Student- athletes should understand that a positive test result will be made known to their respective head coach and the that the coach will consider such positive test result(s) in assessing an individual’s ability and in determining which individuals should be afforded the privilege of becoming and remaining members of intercollegiate athletic teams representing Johns Hopkins University. Nothing contained in this Policy shall be construed as preventing a head coach from imposing a more severe sanction than those provided in this Policy.

Missing A Counseling or Community Service Session

It is the responsibility of the student-athlete who makes an appointment with a counselor to keep that appointment. If the student-athlete is not able to keep the appointment he or she is expected to cancel the appointment by telephone, preferably 24 hours in advance but at least by 8:30 a.m. on the day of the appointment. Prior to the appointment, the student-athlete will read and sign an informed consent for evaluation and treatment, which includes an agreement to follow the appointment policies.
 
Failure to keep or cancel an appointment as stated above may result in suspension from practice and/or competition as determined by the Director of Athletics or his/her designee.

Voluntary Disclosure/Safe Harbor

• A student-athlete who has engaged in prohibited drug or alcohol use is encouraged to seek assistance from the Athletic Department by voluntarily disclosing his or her use prior to an announced drug test.
• If the student-athlete seeks assistance prior to being identified as having violated this policy or being notified that he or she must undergo screening, the impermissible use will not be deemed an offense for purposes of determining sanctions under this policy; however, the student-athlete will be withheld from participation in intercollegiate sports pending a mental health and physical evaluation.  The student-athlete entering the safe harbor program will be required to take a drug test immediately to establish a baseline for follow-up testing.  A student-athlete who chooses to enter the Safe Harbor Program is still subject to all NCAA drug testing protocol and sanctions unless removed from the active roster. 
• The student-athlete will be required to undergo an evaluation by a Johns Hopkins University counselor. The counselor shall determine the appropriate form(s) of intervention and rehabilitation needed by the student-athlete, based on the circumstances of the case.  The counselor will provide a summary of his or her findings and recommendations to the Athletic Director or his/her designee and the Drug Testing Coordinator.
• A student-athlete will be permitted to remain in the Safe Harbor Program for a reasonable period of time, not to exceed thirty (30) days, as determined by the treatment plan. While undergoing treatment the student-athlete will not be subject to JHU drug testing program. If the counselor deems it necessary, the student-athlete will be withheld from participation and/or be required to undergo drug and/or alcohol testing as part of the reentry evaluation prior to return to participation. 
• Failing to complete the treatment recommended by the counselor, or having a positive test for any banned substance that indicates new use after entering the Safe Harbor Program will be deemed the next subsequent offense under this policy.
• If the student-athlete regains his or her eligibility to participate in intercollegiate sports, he or she may be required to undergo unannounced follow-up tests at the discretion of the Athletic Director in consultation with the counselor.

Appeal

Student‑athletes who test positive for a banned substance by the laboratory retained by the University may, within 72 hours following receipt of notice of the laboratory finding, contest the finding.  Upon the student-athlete’s request for additional testing of the sample, the Director of Athletics or his/her designee will formally request the laboratory retained by the University to perform testing on specimen B. The student-athlete will remain eligible while waiting for the results of specimen B. Specimen B findings will be final, subject to the results of any appeal. If specimen B results are negative, the drug test will be considered negative. 
 
Student-athletes who test positive under the terms of the Johns Hopkins University Drug/Alcohol Education & Testing Program will be entitled to a hearing with the Director of Athletics or his/her designee prior to the imposition of any sanction.  Requests for such a hearing must be made within forty-eight (48) hours of notification of a positive test result.  If the forty-eight hours would end on a weekend, the request must be made by noon on the next business day. Requests must be in writing and received by the Director of Athletics. 
 
The student-athlete may have an advisor, or any representative other than an attorney, if the student so desires. However, the student-athlete must present his or her own case.  If reasonable under the circumstances, the meeting should take place no more than seventy-two (72) hours after the written request is received. The Appeals Committee will consist of the Director of Athletics or his/her designee and the Vice Provost for Homewood Student Affairs or his/her designee. Either the student-athlete or the other parties involved may request an extension of time to the Director of Athletics, who will consider whether to grant the extension upon a showing of good cause. These proceedings shall include an opportunity for the student-athlete to present evidence, as well as to review the results of the drug test. The proceedings shall be confidential. The decision by the Appeals Committee regarding the sanction to be imposed shall be final.

Medical Exceptions

The NCAA and Johns Hopkins University recognize that some banned substances are used for legitimate medical purposes. Accordingly, the NCAA and Johns Hopkins University allow exceptions to be made for those participants with a documented medical history demonstrating the need for regular use of such a drug. Exceptions may be granted for substances included in the following classes of banned drugs: stimulants, beta blockers, diuretics and peptide hormones.  Information regarding exceptions procedures can be found at www.ncaa.org/health-safety.

Confidentiality

Every effort will be made to maintain confidentiality within the Drug/Alcohol Education and Testing Program. The program has been designed for the protection of all our participants as well as others associated with the athletics program. Any information concerning a student-athlete's alleged or confirmed use of banned substance solicited or received pursuant to implementation of this Policy, shall be restricted to institutional personnel and to parents or guardians as provided herein, except as required by law. The occasion could arise when Johns Hopkins University is required, or is asked, to cooperate with law enforcement agencies in legal action. Under appropriate circumstances, these requests will be honored.

Additional Information

If you have any questions regarding this program, please contact:
Jen Baker, Director of Athletics- Jbaker94@jhu.edu
Jon Kindred, Assistant Director of Athletics Compliance & Operations- Jkindre1@jhu.edu
Tyler Golembrosky, Assistant Athletic Trainer/Drug Testing Coordinator- tgolemb2@jhu.edu