Duke University Toughens its Drug Testing Policy for Student-Athletes
DURHAM, N.C.
Duke University has strengthened its policy for student-athletes who test positive for steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs, school officials announced recently.
The new policy, which goes into effect immediately, states that any student-athlete who tests positive for anabolic steroids, blood doping or masking agents will be suspended from athletic participation for one year; a second offense would result in the termination of eligibility.
The policy also calls for evaluation, treatment and counseling for any student-athlete who tests positive for any NCAA-banned substance other than steroids. A second offense would result in a student-athlete being suspended for a minimum of 50 percent of a season; a third violation would result in a permanent ban from competition.
The penalties for non-performance enhancing drugs are basically the same as the university’s previous policy. But the old policy did not distinguish between “street” drugs and steroids, while the new one takes a “zero tolerance” stance toward steroids, says Duke law professor James E. Coleman Jr., who headed the committee that recommended the changes. Steroids, he says, undermine the integrity of athletic competition.
“When athletes take steroids to cheat, they not only do potential damage to their health, but they gain an unfair competitive advantage,” says Chris Kennedy, senior associate director of athletics.
