Athletes are subject to a more rigorous form of drug testing and are asked to sign an agreement that verifies they know the policy of the school and what types of drug testing they will have to undergo as a student athlete in the school. They are required to give their samples in the view of a trained testing advocate who takes the sample directly from them and ensures that it gets to the testing facility without being tampered with. Below is some information about the methods and types of drug testing procedures used to get accurate results for student athletes.
Types of Drug Testing Programs:
- Mandatory: This is where the athlete is required to submit to testing to continue being a member of the school’s sports clubs. A positive test results in suspension; severe and repeat cases will result in expulsion from those sports clubs.
- Voluntary: The student athlete is given an option to be tested based on past issues with substance abuse well as the policies of the school.
- Reasonable Suspicion: Drug testing only occurs if there are any signs that the student athlete is using drugs.
Methods of School Testing:
- Urine Test: A urine sample is taken under the observation of a urine testing advocate who verifies the sample isn’t tampered with and then the sample is sent off to a lab for testing.
- Blood Testing: This method is to test for additional substances or those substances that might be harder to detect in a standard urine test. A blood sample it taken from the athlete for testing at a lab.