SCHOOLS FIGHT RISING USE OF EPHEDRINE

College Trainers Stress Education In Trying To Prevent Use By Athletes

Six out of 10 college athletes use untested, unregulated dietary
supplements, an NCAA survey has found, and a rising number are using the
banned stimulant ephedrine - a possible factor in the recent deaths of
three young football players.

More than 21,000 students responded to the NCAA's drug-use survey, the
greatest number ever. The use of ephed-rine rose from 3.5 percent four
years ago to 3.9 percent.

The three players who died - Rashidi Wheeler of Northwestern, Devaughn
Darling of Florida State and Curtis Jones, who played for an indoor pro
team in Utah - were said to be using ephedrine.

Education is the best defense against the dangers of unregulated
nutritional supplements, representatives of Ozarks-area NCAA schools say.

SMS director of athletics Bill Rowe said head athletic trainer Ivan Milton
meets formally with student-athletes before each season.

"We tell them, 'if you don't know for sure what you are taking, don't take
a chance,'" Milton said. "We tell them if they aren't sure, bring it to the
trainers and we'll look it up."

"Mainly education is what we are trying to do," Rowe said. "It's the same
with the dos and don'ts of alcohol, drugs and other abuses. You try and
make them aware."

The same message is being sent at smaller area colleges.

"We need to teach the student-athletes to know what they are taking," Drury
University trainer Keith Garnett said. "Some things can be life-threatening."

Garnett said he keeps a good rapport with Drury students, making sure they
know he's there to help.

"Sometimes it's not even just the student-athletes, but kids in my
classes," he said. "If they aren't sure about something, we'll call the FDA
or NCAA and find out what they're taking."

Southwest Baptist University has a strict policy on the use of illegal
supplements.

"We have it very explicit, in writing and verbally," SBU athletic director
Jim Middleton said.

"Unfortunately, there are some looking for the quick fix, but it's been our
policy that there will be no quick fix. We won't cut corners.

Some nutritional supplements might contain banned substances such as
ephedrine and, if detected through mandatory random drug testing by the
NCAA, could leave an athlete ineligible.

The Detroit News contributed to this story.