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University of North Texas
Department of Athletics
Intercollegiate Athletics Drug Education, Testing and Counseling Program
2022-2023

Policy Statement. The University of North Texas believes the use of prescription drugs for reasons other than as prescribed and the use of illegal drugs and unapproved dietary supplements are detrimental to the physical and mental well-being of its students. For these reasons, the University has developed a Drug Education, Testing and Counseling Program (“Program”) to educate student-athletes about the dangers of the improper and illegal use of drugs and dietary supplements, detect the improper and illegal use of drugs and provide counseling to assist student-athletes maintain a safe and healthy lifestyle.

Application of Policy. All intercollegiate student-athletes.

Definitions.

  1. Athletic Director. “Athletic Director” means the director of the University of North Texas that oversees the whole athletic department and athletes at UNT, or the Athletic Director’s designee.

  2. Student-Athlete. “Student-Athlete,” for purposes of this policy, means an individual who has applied for admission or readmission to the University of North Texas, who is registered or enrolled in one or more courses for credit at the University, or who currently is not enrolled but has a continuing academic relationship with the University and who is participating or intends to participate in a University of North Texas intercollegiate athletics program or activity regardless whether the individual is receiving athletic-related financial assistance. The term includes but is not limited to red-shirts, medical redshirts, medical disqualifications, student-athletes who are academically ineligible, student-athletes who have exhausted athletic eligibility but are still receiving financial aid and using other athletic related services.

  3. Test and Testing. “Test” and “Testing” means the administration and process of examining a person’s bodily fluid for signs of a substance prohibited under this policy or alcohol.

  4. Treatment Team. “Treatment Team” means the Team Physician, Director of the Drug Education, Testing and Counseling Program (Head Athletic Trainer), and/or the Wellness Services Counselor.

Procedures and Responsibilities
The University of North Texas Drug Education, Testing and Counseling Program is separate and distinct from the NCAA Drug Testing Program and is intended to prevent the illegal use and abuse of drugs, including alcohol, by University of North Texas student-athletes. Specific goals of the University of North Texas Program include:

  1. Educating student-athletes on the dangers of drug use.

  2. Identifying drug use by student-athletes through testing.

  3. Deterring drug use by student-athletes.

  4. Helping arrange treatment for student-athletes when necessary.

  5. Disciplining student-athletes when appropriate.

The Head Athletic Trainer will serve as the Director of the UNT Drug Education, Testing and Counseling Program (“Program Director”).

I. Drug Education

  1. Athletic Department and Student-Athlete Education Responsibilities
    The University of North Texas Department of Athletics considers education to be an important part of the Program and to student-athletes’ health and safety. Athletic Department staff and coaches are responsible for ensuring the University of North Texas Drug Education, Testing and Counseling Program and the NCAA substance abuse policies and drug testing guidelines are thoroughly covered by an Athletics Department athletic trainer or compliance coordinator at mandatory orientation for all student-athletes at the beginning of the academic year and/or in individual team meetings before the start of the season. Department staff will educate coaches, athletic trainers, physicians, strength coaches and other department personal concerning any changes or updates to institutional policy, procedures, or sanctions related to the Program; and coaches involved in recruiting should ensure prospective student-athletes are aware of the Program.

  2. Student-Athlete Responsibilities
    Student-athletes are responsible to themselves and the university to maintain high standards of conduct and a sound respect for their physical, mental and emotional health. This responsibility includes following all university policies and federal and state laws related to the use, possession or distribution of drugs and alcohol, and for taking reasonable steps to know whether anything they ingest, including dietary supplements, contains a prohibited substance.

  3. Prohibited Conduct and Substances
    Student-athletes are prohibited from unlawfully possessing, using and distributing alcohol and illegal drugs, acquiring multiple legal prescriptions for the same injury or illness from multiple physicians, misusing any legal prescription drug, giving a legally prescribed prescription drug to another person or altering any drug prescription. They also are prohibited from having the following substances in their bodies at any time while a student at the University of North Texas, except when lawfully prescribed by a licensed physician:

    • Stimulants

    • Narcotics

    • Anabolic agents

    • Substances banned for specific sports

    • Diuretics

    • Street drugs

    • Peptide hormones and analogues

    • Anti-estrogens

    • Beta-2 agonists

    • Substances banned by the NCAA; and

    • Any substance chemically related to these classes of substances

    The Athletics Department is responsible for publishing a list of prohibited substances that can be found on the NCAA website and notifying all current student-athletes of the prohibited substances before the beginning of their season or the academic year, whichever is earlier.

  4. Dietary Supplement
    University of North Texas athletics is a “food-first” program which emphasizes proper nutrition and hydration. Like the NCAA, the UNT Athletics Department advises studentathletes that the most effective and safest way to enhance individual performance is to rely on a combination of a healthy diet, appropriate conditioning, rest and recovery; and to avoid the use of dietary/nutritional supplements, prohibited substances and tobacco, and the unlawful use or abuse of alcohol.

    There are many health risks associated with taking dietary supplements, including the risks of testing positive for a banned substance that is not marked on the product’s label. Nevertheless, we recognize that many student-athletes make the personal decision to use dietary supplements, and strongly encourage any student athlete who wishes to use supplements to inform the Sports Medicine staff and or Team Nutritionist before taking the product.

    Student-athletes should always bring all supplement products to the designated athletics staff before using them and then checking all supplements through Drug Free Sport Axis (DFS Axis) which is staffed by the National Center for Drug Free Sport, the NCAA’s third-party drug testing administrator. DFS Axis is the only authoritative resource for questions related to whether listed ingredients on nutritional supplement product labels or in medications contain NCAA banned substances.

    Products labeled as dietary supplements sold over the counter, in print advertisements and through the internet are under-regulated by the United States Food and Drug Administration. Dietary supplements are at risk of contamination or may include ingredients that are banned under the drug testing program. Student-athletes have tested positive and lost their eligibility using dietary supplements. Any product containing dietary supplement ingredients is taken at 41 | Page the student-athlete’s own risk.

    To access DFS Axis, call toll free 1-877-202-0769 or go to www.drugfreesport.com/axis , select NCAA, and insert password ncaa1. Right on the home page you can select “Ask about Dietary Supplements” or go to the “Prescription/Over-the-Counter Drug Search”.

    By signing the Policy Consent Form (Appendix E), the student-athlete:

    1. Acknowledges that he/she understands that they are to disclose all dietary supplements used to the head athletic trainer, or team certified athletic trainer;

    2. Acknowledges the aforementioned policies and statements, and fully accepts the detrimental and possibly permanent defects caused by the use of dietary supplements;

    3. Fully accepts that they have been made aware of the University of North Texas and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) policies with regard to the use of dietary supplements;

    4. Accepts any and all liability if they have in the past used, continue to use, and/or use at any time in the future, dietary supplements in any form; and releases the University of North Texas, its agents, and all personnel of any and all responsibility and liability related to such use.

  5. Use of Tobacco and Smoking
    The use of tobacco in any athletic facility, in any facility in which tobacco is prohibited under university policy, or during practice or competition is prohibited by all studentathletes. Smoking is prohibited on all University of North Texas property as set out in university policy.

II. Drug Testing

All student-athletes are subject to being tested for drugs at any time, without advance notice, under the University of North Texas Drug Education, Testing and Counseling Program and the NCAA testing program. Each student-athlete is required to consent to drug testing by the university and NCAA in return for the privilege of participating in intercollegiate athletics at the University of North Texas and to sign a consent form before participating in an NCAA sanctioned activity. Failure or refusal to appear for or participate in a drug test conducted under this policy will be treated as a positive test.

  1. Confidentiality
    Confidentiality is essential to an effective Drug Education, Testing and Counseling Program. Athletic Department personnel and individuals associated with the Athletic Department are strictly prohibited from disclosing any information about a student-athlete that is obtained from a student-athlete’s participation in the Program. Disclosing includes directly or indirectly releasing information or alluding to information related to testing or counseling provided under the Program whether the information relates to an individual student-athlete, one or more University of North Texas intercollegiate athletic teams, or the Athletic Department unless required by law or court order. Any Athletic Department personnel or individual associated with the Athletic Department who violates confidentiality is subject to immediate termination or employment or business relationship and appropriate legal action.

  2. Testing Procedures

    1. Student-athletes will be notified of the time and location of a drug test and required to complete and sign a Drug Testing Notification Form (Appendix A) prior to each test listing any medications and dietary supplements the student-athlete is taking.

    2. The student-athlete is required to report at the time and location set out in the notice. The student-athlete must present a photo ID or have their identification verified by a member of the Athletics Department staff before being released to the custody of sample collection personnel properly trained in appropriate collection techniques by a certified laboratory (“Collector”) and approved by the Director of Athletics or the AD’s designee.

    3. A Collector will observe the collection of a urine sample from each student-athlete being tested and each sample will be individually coded to ensure a proper chain of custody and to protect the student-athlete’s confidentiality.

    4. The Program Director or Athletic Director will be notified of any positive test results. The Program Director and Athletic Director or the Athletic Director’s designee will discuss the results before notifying the student-athlete’s Head Coach. The violation procedures will be followed as appropriate.

  3. Notification of Student-Athletes
    The Program Director or the director’s designee will notify the student-athlete of a scheduled drug test. Notice will be given no more than twenty-four (24) hours prior to the test and include information regarding the specimen collection process. The student-athlete is required to complete a Drug Testing Notification Form (Appendix A), acknowledging receipt of the notice and verifying the date, time and location of the test. The student-athlete may have a witness accompany him or her to the collection station.

  4. Specimen Collection Manipulation or Adulteration
    Any attempt to manipulate or adulterate a urine specimen will be treated as a positive drug test. Manipulation includes but is not limited to the use of any product for the purpose of diluting the urine sample, including excessive water consumption, or the substitution of a urine sample. Adulteration includes but is not limited to the mixing or attempted mixing of any chemical (excluding water) directly to the urine sample that alters the composition of the student-athlete’s sample or interferes with the testing process.

  5. Types of Testing

    • Random Testing
      Random drug testing will be performed on a regular basis throughout the school year. A Department of Athletics official will use a computer program to select the number or percentage of student-athletes to be tested for each sport from a current roster. Studentathletes attending summer sessions or who are not enrolled in summer school but who participate in supervised on-campus off-season conditioning programs, are subject to random drug testing.

    • Post-Season/Championship Screening Any participant or team likely to advance to post-season championship competition may be subject to additional testing. Testing may be required of all team members or individual student-athletes at any time within thirty (30) days prior to the post-season competition. If a student-athlete tests positive, he or she may not be allowed to compete at the post-season event and will be subject to disciplinary action.

    • Re-Entry Testing
      A student-athlete whose eligibility to participate in intercollegiate sports has been suspended as a result of a positive test may be required to undergo testing prior to regaining eligibility. The Director of Athletics or the Athletic Director’s designee will arrange for re-entry testing after the counselor or specialist working with the student-athlete confirms that re-entry into the intercollegiate sports program is in the student-athlete’s best interest.

    • Follow-Up Testing
      A student-athlete who has returned to participation in intercollegiate sports following a positive 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 working with the studentathlete.

    • Pre-Season Testing
      Student-athletes are subject to pre-season 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 Testing
      Any student-athletes may be tested when there is reasonable suspicion to believe the student-athlete may be using a substance prohibited under this policy. Reasonable suspicion includes, but is not limited to, the following:

      1. an arrest or conviction for drug related activities

      2. observed possession or use of what reasonably appears to be a prohibited substance 44 | Page c. admission of unlawful possession or use of a prohibited substance

      3. physical or psychological signs of possible impairment reasonably attributable to use of a prohibited substance

      4. observed unusual/abnormal conduct or behavior reasonably attributable to use of a prohibited substance (factors to consider in assessing these observations include but are not limited to increase or decrease in weight over a short period of time, increase in absence from class or athletic activities, significant change in classroom motivational level or performance, increase in injury or illness rate, erratic change in emotional condition or mood, etc.)

      Any coach, athletic administrator or athletics staff member concerned with a particular student-athlete should express this information confidentially to the Drug Testing Program Director and/or the Director of Athletics or his/her designee. Grounds for a reasonable suspicion drug test will be decided by a committee headed by the Associate Vice President/Chief Operating Officer for Athletics, Senior Women’s Administrator, Head Coach, and Drug Testing Coordinator/Certified and Licensed Athletic Trainer. In the event of a tie within the committee, the Director of Athletics will make the final decision on the drug testing status. Any Athletic Department personnel who reasonably suspects that a student-athlete is under the influence of or is misusing a prohibited substance should immediately inform the Program Director or Athletic Director. The student-athlete’s identity and reasons for the suspicion must be communicated in a confidential manner. The Program Director, Athletic Director and Senior Women’s Administrator, in consultation with other Athletic Department personnel or university officials as appropriate, will determine whether reasonable suspicion exists. The decision to test a student-athlete based on reasonable suspicion should be documented and included a clear description of the reasons for suspecting the student-athlete of using a prohibited substance.

  6. Confirmation of Positive Drug Test
    If a student-athlete tests positive, the individual’s medical record will be reviewed to determine whether the result could be caused by approved medications (prescription or over the counter) or dietary supplements. If the records indicate the student-athlete was using approved medications or supplements, the Program Director will consult appropriate personnel (prescribing physician, toxicologist, etc.) to confirm whether the medication or supplement was used appropriately and properly. Upon confirmation that a positive result reasonably could have been caused by the appropriate and proper use of a medication or supplement, the result will be deemed a “medical exception” and the student-athlete will not be subject to the Guidelines for Responding to Positive Test Results described below.

    Absent a medical explanation, a student-athlete who has a positive test will be required to participate in the Counseling Program and will continue to be tested on a regular basis. Mandatory testing will continue until the student-athlete tests negative for the prohibited substance on two consecutive tests or as often as counseling personnel determine is in the student-athlete’s best interest. If follow-up testing shows an increase in the amount of a prohibited substance, the student-athlete will be deemed to have tested positive and referred to the appropriate level of the Guidelines for Responding to Positive Test Results described below.

    A student-athlete who tests positive may ask for his or her sample to be re-analyzed. The studentathlete must submit the request, in writing (including via email), to the Director of the Drug Education, Testing and Counseling Program within three (3) business days after receiving notice of the positive result. Upon receipt of the request, the Program Director will ask the laboratory that conducted the test to re-analyze the student-athlete’s sample. The student-athlete or the student-athlete’s authorized representative may observe the re-analysis in person and at the student-athlete’s expense, or, the student-athlete may ask the laboratory to appoint someone to observe the re-analysis. If the re-analysis is negative, the original test will be deemed to be negative. The re-analysis results will be final.

III. Guidelines for Responding to Positive Test Results

The University’s response to positive tests results are based upon the number of times a studentathlete tests positive. A positive result from a test administered under NCAA rules counts as a positive test under the Program, and all positive results are cumulative throughout a student-athlete’s eligibility. Any student-athlete who tests positive will be sanctioned as set out in this policy. However, in addition to these sanctions, Head Coaches may develop and enforce team rules regarding the use of prohibited substances and alcohol (except for requiring testing outside of this Program) and a student-athlete’s eligibility to participate in team activities and competitions. Team rules may vary and be stricter from team to team and will be supported.

  1. General Guidelines and Notice of a Positive Test
    The testing laboratory will forward all test results to the Program Director. The Program Director or that person’s designee is responsible for notifying the Athletics Director, the student-athlete, the student-athlete’s parent(s)/guardian(s) (if the student-athlete) is under 18 years of age, and the student-athlete’s Head Coach of the positive test. The student-athlete must be notified verbally and in writing. The athlete will also sign consent form to allow Program Director (Head Athletic Trainer) to communicate with counselor.

  2. Guidelines for First Positive Test

    1. The Program Director will meet with the student-athlete and have the individual acknowledge the positive test result, the terms of Athletic Department disciplinary action, and the consequences of a second positive test. (Appendix C). The acknowledgment must be in signed by the student-athlete and refusal to sign the acknowledgement will result in immediate dismissal from the athletic program and loss of athletic scholarship.

    2. The student-athlete will be required to meet with a Team Physician or the physician’s designee for evaluation and to develop the appropriate course of action plan, to include substance abuse education and recommended medical treatment if warranted. All medical costs associated with the plan will be the responsibility of the student-athlete.

    3. Substance abuse education will be completed, provided from UNT Counseling and Testing Services. Head Athletic Trainer will assign athlete to specified modules that must be completed within 2 weeks of assignment.

    4. During the plan, the student-athlete may be subject to random testing. If a test reveals the presence of the same prohibited substance for which the student-athlete first tested positive after an eight-week period, or if the student-athlete tests positive for a different prohibited substance, the result will be deemed a positive test and guidelines for a second positive result will be followed.

    5. The student-athlete will perform no fewer than ten (10) hours of community service, which will be arranged through the Director of Volunteer Services. Community service hours assigned under the Program may run concurrently with any community service hours required by a court for the same offense. All community service hours must be done within 6 weeks.

    6. The Program Director will inform the student-athlete when he or she has officially completed the plan, including completion of any recommended medical treatment. After official completion, the student-athletes is no longer subject to random testing as part of the plan, but remains subject to testing under the Drug Education, Testing and Counseling Program.

    7. Failure to successfully complete the plan will result in the loss of athletic scholarship and/or the privilege of participating in team activities and competitions.

    8. Per NCAA ruling, the athlete may be suspended from competition for twenty-five (25%) of countable athletic contests, if the athlete fails to comply to further education and community service.

  3. Guidelines for Second Positive Test

    1. The Program Director will meet with the student-athlete and have the individual acknowledge the second positive test result, the terms of suspension from athletic-related activities, and the consequences of a third positive test. (Appendix C). The acknowledgment must be in signed by the student-athlete and refusal to sign the acknowledgement will result in immediate dismissal from the athletic program and loss of athletic scholarship.

    2. The student-athlete may meet with a Team Physician or the physician’s designee for evaluation and to develop the appropriate course of action plan, to include substance abuse counseling and recommended medical treatment, if warranted. All medical costs associated with the plan will be the responsibility of the student-athlete. Athlete will sign consent form provided by counseling department to allow Head Athletic Trainer to be acknowledged of counseling attendance and completion.

    3. During the plan, the student-athlete may be subject to random testing. If a test reveals the presence of the same prohibited substance for which the student-athlete tested positive after an eight-week period, or if the student-athlete tests positive for a different prohibited substance, the result will be deemed a positive test and guidelines for a second positive result will be followed.

    4. The student-athlete will perform no fewer than ten (10) hours of community service, which will be arranged through the Director of Volunteer Services. Community service hours assigned under the Program may run concurrently with any community service hours required by a court for the same offense. All community service hours must be done within 6 weeks of start with Director of Volunteer Services.

    5. Per institution rules, the student-athlete will be suspended from competition for ten percent (10%) of countable athletic contests (as calculated by using the rounding-down method) or up to thirty (30) days, whichever is less. The suspension begins the date the student-athlete is notified of the positive test and will carry over into the following year if it is not possible to complete it the sanction in the current year. Suspension from athletic competition does not relieve the student-athlete from any other responsibility as a team member, including, but not limited to participation in all practices and other team events/activities and corrective measures imposed by the Head Coach for violating team rules. This sanction will be observed in all sports.

    6. The Program Director will inform the student-athlete when he or she has officially completed the plan, including completion of any recommended medical treatment. After official completion, the student-athletes is no longer subject to random testing as part of the plan, but remains subject to testing under the Drug Education, Testing and Counseling Program.

    7. Failure to successfully complete the plan will result in the loss of athletic scholarship and/or the privilege of participating in team activities and competitions.

    8. Per NCAA ruling, the athlete may be suspended from competition for twenty-five (25%) of countable athletic contests, if the athlete fails to comply to further education and community service.

  4. Guidelines for Third Positive Test

    1. The Program Director will meet with the student-athlete and have the individual acknowledge the positive test result and the consequences of testing positive a third time. (Appendix C).

    2. The student-athlete will be required to meet with a Team Physician or the physician’s designee for evaluation and to develop the appropriate course of action plan, to include substance abuse counseling and recommended medical treatment. All medical costs associated with the plan will be the responsibility of the student-athlete.

    3. Per Institution rules, the student-athlete will be suspended twenty five (25%) from regular season contests if failure to comply to prior education, counseling, and appropriate course of action plan that is warranted by Team Physician. The suspension begins the date the studentathlete is notified of failure to comply. This sanction will be observed in all sports.

    4. Per NCAA ruling, the athlete may be suspended form competition for fifty (50%) of countable athletic contests, if athlete fails to comply.

    5. A student-athlete may be allowed to keep his or her scholarship pending a decision by the Administrative Appeals Committee whether to reinstate the student-athlete at the discretion of the Director of Athletics. A student-athlete who is allowed to keep his or her scholarship during this time must continue to comply with the Drug Education, Testing and Counseling Program and is subject to random testing. A student-athlete who tests positive for a prohibited substance or who violates university policy or any Athletic Department or team rule automatically forfeits his or her scholarship.

    6. A student-athlete who is reinstated must fully comply with all Athletic Department rules for the remainder of the student-athlete’s time at University of North Texas. The Administrative Voting Committee, at its discretion, may place conditions on the student-athlete’s reinstatement to full eligibility (e.g. loss of scholarship, suspension, community service, etc.).

    7. Upon request by the student-athlete, the Athletic Department Administrative Voting Committee (comprised of the Director of Athletics, Program Director, Senior Women’s Administrator and Faculty Athletics Representative) may consider whether the student-athlete should be reinstated. A student-athlete will be reinstated only when it is in the best interest of the student, the team, the Athletics Department and the University. In the event of a tie within the committee, the Director of Athletics’ decision is final.

    8. A student-athlete who is reinstated by the Administrative Voting Committee or who successfully appeals a third positive test, is subject to random testing for eight weeks after the date of the third positive result. If an institutional or NCAA test reveals the existence of any prohibited substance after the eight-week period, the student-athlete will be permanently ineligible from participating in any and all athletic-related activities the remainder of the student’s time at the University of North Texas.

  5. Appeal of Positive Result
    A student-athlete may appeal a positive test result in person to the Athletics Department Appeals Committee prior to the imposition of any sanction. The student-athlete must notify the Athletics Director of the appeal in writing (including via email) and within three (3) business days of notification of a positive test result. The Appeals Committee will be chaired by the Director of Athletics/designee and comprised of the Drug Education, Testing and Counseling Director/designee, Senior Woman Administrator, and the student-athlete’s Head Coach.

    The appeal should take place no more than seventy-two (72) hours after the written request is received, but this time may be extended at the sole discretion of the Director of Athletics. The student-athlete may have a representative present at the appeal, however, only the student-athlete may speak on his or her behalf. The student-athlete (and his or her representative if present) will be given the opportunity to review the laboratory report and present evidence, including why the guidelines for responding to the positive test that are set out in this policy should not apply or should be modified.

    The appeal shall be confidential and the decision by the Appeals Committee is final.

IV. Safe Harbor Program/Self-Referral

The University of North Texas and the Athletic Department encourages student-athletes to voluntarily seek assistance if they are using any prohibited substance or if they are having difficulty managing the use of lawfully prescribed drugs, alcohol or dietary supplements. The University and Athletic Department are committed to helping students make the first step toward a positive life change through its Safe Harbor program.

  1. Eligibility
    A student-athlete may voluntarily refer himself or herself for the Safe Harbor program for drug or alcohol evaluation and counseling one time during his or her intercollegiate athletic career at the University of North Texas without facing the possibility of sanctions under the university’s Drug Education, Testing and Counseling Program.

    A student-athlete who is participating in a treatment plan related to a positive test is not eligible for the Safe Harbor program until thirty (30) days after he or she is officially released from the plan. Also, a student-athlete who refers himself or herself after being informed of a pending drug test or after having been informed of a positive test is not eligible for the Safe Harbor program and will face the sanctions outlined in the Guidelines for Resolving Positive Test and applicable NCAA ineligibility rules.

  2. Volunteering for Safe Harbor
    A student-athlete may volunteer for the Safe Harbor program by contacting the Program Director (Head Athletic Trainer). Participation in the Safe Harbor program is confidential except the Program Director (Head Athletic Trainer) may inform the Director of Athletics or his/her designee, and the student-athlete’s Head Coach when doing so will provide the student the best environment and support to successfully complete the program. The student-athlete will sign Appendix H confirming their volunteer into the Safe Harbor program.

  3. IV. Safe Harbor Program Requirements

    1. The Program Director (Head Athletic Trainer) will refer the student-athlete to a counselor who will perform an evaluation and recommend a treatment plan. In addition to counseling, the plan may include confidential testing and medical intervention. The student-athlete is responsible for any financial cost associated with the treatment plan, however, the counselor will assist the student identify low or no-cost resources both on and off-campus and but will support the student-athlete in completing the treatment plan. Athlete will also sign consent to allow Program Director (Head Athletic Trainer) to communicate with counselor on sessions.

    2. The student-athlete will be permitted to remain in the Safe Harbor program for a reasonable amount of time as determined by the treatment plan, generally not more than 30 days.

    3. Upon entry into the program a student-athlete may be administered a test to determine the presence and levels of any prohibited substance in his or her system. A student-athlete will not face sanctions based on the results of the initial program-entry test except as set out in this section and will not be subject to random testing while in the program. If any subsequent tests administered as part of the student’s participation in the Safe Harbor program indicate continued use of any prohibited substance(s) or if the student-athlete fails to comply with the treatment plan, the student-athlete will be released from the program and subject to the appropriate sanctions set out in the Guidelines for Responding to Positive Tests.

    4. The Program Director (Head Athletic Trainer) will inform the student-athlete when he or she has successfully completed and is released from the Safe Harbor program. The student-athlete also will be informed of counseling resources available through the UNT Student Health and Wellness Center and the UNT Substance Use Resource and Education Source Center (SURE), that he or she now is subject to random testing under the Drug Education, Testing and Counseling Program, and that the student-athlete is no longer eligible to participate in the Safe Harbor program while a student at the University of North Texas.

References

UNT Policy 04.011 — Smoke and Tobacco-Free Workplace and Campus
UNT Policy 04.016 — Use of Alcoholic Beverages
UNT Policy 05.004 — Drug-Free University Community and Workplace
NCAA Bylaw 11.1.5 — Use of Tobacco Products

 

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