THE OVERLOOKED RIGOR IN USC ATHLETICS DRUG POLICY

There are many questions as to why the University of South Carolina
has changed its drug policy for student-athletes. Much debate has gone
on over the prudence of such a change, but many of the facts behind
the change have not been properly addressed.

First and foremost, USC athletics is not required by the school, the
Southeastern Conference or the NCAA to administer drug testing. The
NCAA randomly tests, and often in connection with championship games.
USC voluntarily has had in place one of the strictest drug policies of
any school in the nation, and the change from two strikes to four does
not alter its status as one of the strictest policies in Division I-A.

For several months before my arrival, the university studied the drug
policy for the athletics department and its restrictive nature in
comparison to other institutions with drug policies. I reviewed the
research and, based on my experiences at other institutions, agreed
the policy in place was too restrictive. A plan was devised to make
our voluntary policy more effective in terms of actually helping the
student-athlete quit using drugs, while at the same time providing
punitive measures.

How is the USC policy different from those of other institutions that
routinely do drug testing? First, we have chosen to test our
student-athletes frequently. We randomly test 10 percent to 15 percent
of student-athletes every seven to 10 school days. The volume of
testing is one of the largest in the country, and our frequency of
testing is very high. Secondly, we use the lowest tolerance level
possible for determining drug use, one that is lower than the NCAA
tolerance level and that of most universities. In addition, this year,
to ensure the validity of the specimen, we have added mechanisms that
no other school has in place.

Are we just looking for a way to let good athletes play by changing
the leniency of our drug policy? Everyone's gut reaction was to assume
the goal was to extend a player's time on the team in spite of his or
her drug use. In reality, by choosing to do drug testing and with the
frequency of those tests, we are actually dramatically increasing the
chances that we will find drug use and have to enforce our policy.

If we impose this system of frequent drug testing of large samples,
then we have to have a realistic way to help the student-athletes who
test positive to stop using drugs. Substance abusers have difficulty
changing their habits instantly, and there are often setbacks on the
road to recovery, whether the abusers are physiologically addicted or
recreational users.

How does this new policy actually work, and what help do we provide
the student-athletes? Student-athletes who test positive the first
time get a warning, which is identical to the previous policy. Their
parents are notified and the students must meet with the athletics
director, coaches and a consulting physician in private practice who
sets up mandatory counseling sessions. The student-athlete is then
tested every seven to 10 days for a full year. If the student-athletes
do not go to counseling, there are no more strikes -- they are off the
team permanently.

Student-athletes who test positive a second time must lose 25 percent
of their season, which carries over to the following season if
necessary. The student-athletes must continue testing for the
following 18 months. On a third positive test, the student-athletes
will be suspended from athletic competition for 365 days. Mandatory
counseling continues. The fourth positive test requires permanent
removal from the team.

In reality, a student-athlete who tests positive the first time and is
engaged in the counseling phase of the program could be off the team
permanently in a matter of months if drug use is continued. In
addition, a coach may decide to suspend the athlete from participation
at any time if it is apparent that he or she is not making progress.

I am in college athletics for more than wins and losses. I mentor
young people and try to help them become the best they can be on and
off the field. In athletics, we become surrogate parents for someone's
son or daughter and must treat them as we would our own. Our focus is
not just on the four or five years the student-athletes are enrolled
and competing at USC, but on the next 40 or 50 years of their lives.

Drug testing modifies behavior, and it identifies problems. With a
"two strikes and you're out" policy, we cannot effect change. Our new
drug policy provides our student-athletes with a structured, punitive
program designed to give them a reason to say "no" to drugs.

Mr. Hyman is USC's athletics director.