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."