Drug policy up for review

Four football players have been arrested and charged in marijuana-related incidents this year, spurring a wave of attention toward the drug policy for UNC athletes.

But while administrators say they are concerned by the arrests, that’s not why a committee will meet next week to review the six-year-old policy that dictates how the University deals with drug use by its athletes.

Sophomore football players Adarius Bowman, Fred Sparkman and Isaiah “Puff” Thomas all were arrested Oct. 10, and freshman Terry Hunter was arrested Feb. 1.

Still, Director of Athletics Dick Baddour said he initiated the review to find out if the standing “two strikes, you’re out” policy is an effective approach for his department — not to get rid of any suspicions of widespread drug use.

The evaluation has been a hot topic of discussion among administrators, some of whom say the drug problems of student athletes are becoming more evident.

“It seems like every time I pick up a newspaper or watch the TV, I see something else about an athlete and some form of drug use,” said Larry Gallo, senior associate athletic director.

In the past few years, a handful of student athletes have been arrested for drug abuse.

Justin Ryncavage, a UNC recruit for track and field events, was arrested Sept. 19, 2002, for possession of chemical gamma-butyrolactone. GBL, which is a clear liquid used for floor stripper and paint thinner, can also be used to make a common “date rape” drug called gamma-hydroxybutyrate.

Edward Fitzgerald Hayes was dismissed from UNC’s men’s lacrosse team in 2002 after violating the University’s drug policy for the second time. He was arrested Sept. 24 of that year on numerous charges, including driving while intoxicated.

The current drug policy, which was last changed in 1999 from a “three strikes” policy, states that one failed drug test results in counseling and possible suspension of athletic eligibility. A second failed test, and a student’s eligibility is terminated.

When students sign on to an athletic team, they also sign on to the drug policy, which includes possible drug testing as a preseason requirement or in response to reasonable suspicion. Entire teams or randomly selected individuals also can be subjected to unannounced tests.

The frequency of testing varies from team to team, and some coaches have their own requirements.

The issues UNC now faces are important to the administration, but the rationale behind the committee meeting is that “it’s just time,” Gallo said.

“We need an overall look to see where we need help and where things are working,” Gallo said.

Baddour said the committee is not set to change any specifics of the policy.

Gallo and Baddour predicted that the review process could last until the end of the spring semester, so potential changes wouldn’t go into effect until next fall.

“I think we’ve got a good program in place,” Baddour said. “I don’t think there should be a complete revamping or anything, I just think it’s healthy to evaluate your programs.”

Gallo added that “this re-evaluation is needed because sadly, as we can see, the times are changing.”

Contact the University editor at udesk@unc.edu.