The new policy lays out the rationale for the changes: “Systematic drug testing is appropriate and necessary 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 governing drug use and to identify student-athletes who are improperly using drugs and assist them before they harm themselves or others.�

The new policy’s penalties for street drugs are less severe, Coleman says, because committee members believe that treatment and counseling are more appropriate responses to this type of problem.

“Given that street drugs are a general problem for students, and given that students generally are not subject to drug testing, we felt it was important first to give student-athletes a chance to correct any problem through counseling and treatment,� Coleman says. “A suspension is possible after a first positive, but only when necessary to treat the student and ensure his heath and safety and the safety of his/her teammates. After that, however, they are held to a higher standard than other students.�

Duke Executive Vice President Tallman Trask III says stories last year that alleged steroid use by former members of Duke’s baseball team was one reason that the university decided to review its policy.

“While we fully checked out these allegations and were satisfied that this was not a widespread problem, we nonetheless felt it was important to take this pro-active step in strengthening our drug policy,� Trask says. “We also felt Duke could, and should, take a leadership role in this area, and that it is in the best interest of our student-athletes’ health and well-being that we do so.�

— Associated Press