WHAT?
The NCAA is implementing a stricter application of the existing Medical Exceptions policy which will require proof of current prescriptions for every medication an athlete is taking that is a banned substance, as well as, proof of proper diagnostic procedures(particularly for ADD and ADHD diagnosis and medications).
WHY?
As experienced across campus, more and more college students-athletes are being
treated with stimulant medications for ADHD. These stimulants are banned for
use in NCAA competition for both performance and health reasons, and using
them may result in a positive drug test and loss of eligibility, unless the studentathlete
provides adequate documentation of a diagnostic evaluation for ADHD
and appropriate monitoring of treatment. In recent years, the number of studentathletes
testing positive for these stimulant medications has increased 3 fold, and
in many cases there has been inadequate documentation submitted in support of
the request for a medical exception to the NCAA banned drug policy.
As experienced across campus, more and more college students-athletes are being
treated with stimulant medications for ADHD. These stimulants are banned for
use in NCAA competition for both performance and health reasons, and using
them may result in a positive drug test and loss of eligibility, unless the studentathlete
provides adequate documentation of a diagnostic evaluation for ADHD
and appropriate monitoring of treatment. In recent years, the number of studentathletes
testing positive for these stimulant medications has increased 3 fold, and
in many cases there has been inadequate documentation submitted in support of
the request for a medical exception to the NCAA banned drug policy.
DOCUMENTATION
The documentation should include a comprehensive clinical evaluation, recording
observations and results from ADHD rating scales, a physical exam and any lab
work, previous treatment for ADHD, and the diagnosis and recommended
treatment. The physician can provide documentation of the above either with a
cover letter and attachments or provide the medical record. This documentation
should be kept on file in the athletics department until such time that the studentathlete
tests positive for the stimulant. A simple statement from the prescribing
physician that he or she is treating the student-athlete for ADHD with said
medication IS NOT adequate documentation.
The documentation should include a comprehensive clinical evaluation, recording
observations and results from ADHD rating scales, a physical exam and any lab
work, previous treatment for ADHD, and the diagnosis and recommended
treatment. The physician can provide documentation of the above either with a
cover letter and attachments or provide the medical record. This documentation
should be kept on file in the athletics department until such time that the studentathlete
tests positive for the stimulant. A simple statement from the prescribing
physician that he or she is treating the student-athlete for ADHD with said
medication IS NOT adequate documentation.
IS IT OKAY MY DOCUMENTATION IS FROM 3 TO 5 YEARS AGO?
Yes, in fact the expectation is that for many student-athletes, the evaluation and
initiation of treatment likely began during grade school. Documentation of that
evaluation, along with the history of treatment and current prescription, should be
submitted by the student-athlete to their sports medicine staff upon matriculation.
initiation of treatment likely began during grade school. Documentation of that
evaluation, along with the history of treatment and current prescription, should be
submitted by the student-athlete to their sports medicine staff upon matriculation.
DO I NEED AN UPDATED LETTER FROM THE DOCTOR EACH YEAR OF MY ELIGIBILITY ?
Yes, a written letter from the prescribing physician should be updated each year of eligibility and can just include a written statement indicating current treatment.
HOW DOES A POSITIVE TEST EFFECT MY ELIGIBILITY IF I DO NOT HAVE THE PROPER DOCUMENTATION?
If a student-athlete has not undergone an evaluation and/or cannot produce
documents at the time the positive test is confirmed with the institution, the
student-athlete must be declared ineligible until 1) the documentation can be
produced or 2) a drug-test appeal is heard and approved.
documents at the time the positive test is confirmed with the institution, the
student-athlete must be declared ineligible until 1) the documentation can be
produced or 2) a drug-test appeal is heard and approved.
***INFORMATION IN THIS BLOG IS TAKEN DIRECTLY FROM http://www.ncaa.org/wps/ncaa?key=/ncaa/NCAA/Legislation+and+Governance/Eligibility+and+Recruiting/Drug+Testing/exceptions.html
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
CONTACT YOUR ATC!!!
0 comments:
Post a Comment