The NCAA drug-testing program was created to safeguard the health and safety of participants, and to ensure that no participant has an artificially induced advantage, or be pressured to use chemical substances in order to remain competitive. The misuse and/or abuse of drugs or chemicals endangers the safety and health of all student-athletes and are inconsistent with the educational atmosphere that should prevail in intercollegiate athletic programs.
Testing Policies
Prior to participation in intercollegiate competition, student-athletes must sign the NCAA Drug Testing Consent Form (PDF). Failure to sign this form renders student-athletes ineligible for participation in intercollegiate competition.
The drug testing program includes urine collection at NCAA championship events and laboratory analysis for evidence of banned substances on the NCAA Banned Drug List (PDF). In addition, UTEP athletics randomly screens or tests member of athletic teams for the presence of illicit drugs throughout the year. Refusal to cooperate in such tests results in a two-week and a two-contest suspension from team activities and competition and the test being declared positive. All sanctions of a positive test apply. In addition, it may be recommended that athletic scholarships not be renewed for student-athletes who fail to cooperate. The drug testing policy applies to participating student-athletes, red shirts, medical non-counters, partial and non-qualifiers and fifth year student athletes.
UTEP POLICY
If student-athletes are tested positive by UTEP for a substance on the NCAA Banned Drug List, the following consequences are implemented:
- First Positive Test Result
- Athletic Director notified
- Head Coach notified
- Parent or Guardian notified
- Referral for private counseling and rehabilitation
- Re-tested at every drug test following positive result
- Withheld cost of attendance checks
- Second Positive Test Result
- Student-athlete required to obtain medical rehabilitative assistance
- Automatic 5-day suspension/suspension from 10% of contests
- if second positive test for PEDs: lose athletics aid
- Third Positive Test Result
NCAA POLICY
- If student-athletes are tested positive by the NCAA for a substance on the NCAA Banned Drug List, he/she loses one full season of competition in all sports. If the season of competition has begun, student-athletes lose eligibility for all remaining contests in the current season and the number of contests required in the following season to complete "one full season". For additional information concerning the NCAA's drug-testing program please visit:
National Center for Drug-Free Sport
NCAA Drug Testing Program (PDF)
