Substance Abuse Education and Testing Substances of Concern

NOTE: No student shall unlawfully manufacture, distribute, dispense, possess or use a controlled substance, as defined in the Controlled Substances Act (K.S.A. 65-4101 as amended from time to time) on any college owned or college-operated property, or at any college-sponsored event either on or off campus. Appropriate disciplinary action will also be taken by the college as outlined in the Student Code of Conduct.

McPherson College is a dry campus. Though alcohol is not included on McPherson College Athletics drug testing panels, the following shall be noted. Per the McPherson College Student Code of Conduct, McPherson College prohibits the possession or use, processing, distributing, manufacturing, selling or being under the influence of alcohol by any student, faculty, or staff person anywhere on campus or at any college functions.

• In addition to disciplinary actions presented by McPherson College Resident Life Staff for on-campus alcohol related incidences, the Athletic Department reserves the right to implement disciplinary actions for the aforementioned violation. The Dean of Students shall notify the Athletic Director of the incident. The Athletic Director will then notify the affected sport’s head coach.
• Alcohol-related infractions involving law enforcement occurring off-campus (MIP, DUI, DWI, etc.) may be subject to disciplinary actions at the discretion of the Director of Athletics. 

Tobacco

While nicotine is not included on McPherson College drug testing panels at this time, McPherson College is a tobacco-free environment.  The Department of Athletics reserves the right to confiscate tobacco-related products in the event they are associated with college-affiliated athletic participation, on or off-campus.

Dietary Supplements

McPherson College does not condone the use of dietary supplements. Dietary supplements are not regulated by the FDA. Many dietary supplements have not been scientifically tested. The benefits claimed about many dietary supplements are not based on scientific research. Serious adverse effects have been reported in some instances from supplement use. The federal government labeling requirements for dietary supplements are minimal. This means that supplements may contain substances listed on the NCAA ban list, that are not listed on the label. Some dietary supplements can produce false-positive drug screens. It is important for student-athletes to remember that THEY WILL BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR EACH AND EVERY SUBSTANCE THAT ENTERS THE BODY! Prior to testing, the student-athlete will be required to complete the Disclosure of Supplement Use Form (PDF).

McPherson College Athletics will have access to the Resource Exchange Center, provided by the National Center for Drug Free Sport, to allow for questions and concerns regarding various supplements. Student-athletes are encouraged to use this opportunity to obtain further information and risks with specific supplements they are seeking to use. For further information on the Resource Exchange Center, go to www.drugfreesport.com, or consult the McPherson College Athletic Training staff. 

McPherson College recognizes that some banned substances are used for legitimate medical purposes. These can include stimulants, beta-blockers, diuretics, and peptide hormones. Accordingly, McPherson College allows exceptions to be made for those student-athletes with a medically documented need to use medicine containing a banned substance, at the discretion of the Head Athletic Trainer and the Team Physician.

The student-athlete is required to inform the Committee Chairman of all prescribed and non-prescription medications he or she is taking. Student-athletes currently taking a prescription medication must bring the medicine bottle with the proper labeling to the testing site.  If a student-athlete tests positive, the Committee Chairman, in consultation with the Team Physician and/or a Drug Free Sport representative, will review the student-athlete’s medical record to determine whether a medical exception should be granted.

McPherson College prohibits the possession of, use, sale, or distribution of illegal drugs and drug paraphernalia. The Office of the Dean of Students will handle any on-campus violation of this policy according to the Student Code of Conduct.  Only the Dean of Students and the Substance Abuse Committee Chair shall communicate with each other regarding this violation. Affected coaches will be notified following initial discussion between Committee Chair and Dean of Students.

• After notification from McPherson College Resident Life Staff of an on-campus drug-related, or the possibility of a drug-related, incident, the Substance Abuse Committee Chair reserves the right to require a drug test to be administered to the accused as soon as possible. This will constitute Reasonable Suspicion testing in all respects, including financial responsibility for the testing. 
• Any illicit drug use occurring on-campus that is documented AND confirmed by the Dean of Students and/or Resident Life Staff will be treated as a positive drug screen, in accordance to this policy.
• Any McPherson College student-athlete legally charged with possession, purchase transfer or sale of an illegal substance shall be suspended from his/her McPherson College Athletic Department team(s) until cleared or adjudicated of those charges. Any McPherson College student-athlete legally convicted of possession, purchase, transfer or sale of an illegal substance shall be dismissed immediately from the McPherson College intercollegiate athletics program and all intercollegiate athletics-related financial aid will be terminated at the end of the semester in which the student-athlete was convicted.