ROBERT H. COOMBS

National concern about the widespread use of illegal drugs encouraged
leaders in federal and local government, private industry, and profes-
sional athletics to implement drug-testing programs. The purpose is to
identify drug users and effectively prevent them from further drug use.

Although the resulting controversy has been documented ( Dougherty,
1987), and guidelines proposed ( Pickett, 1986), little follow-up data is
available and few outcome studies have been reported ( Gust and Walsh,
1989). The popular press and the professional literature ( Mallios, 1987;
Rovere, Haupt, & Yates, 1986; Cowart, 1988a, 1988b) have highlighted
the need for, and the problems associated with, drug testing, but only a
few attitude surveys have been reported ( Gaskins & deShazo, 1985; Abdenour
, Miner, & Weir, 1987).

An opportunity to assess the personal impact of drug testing on those
required to provide urine samples came when administrators of a major
university (which shall remain anonymous) requested an evaluation of
their mandatory testing program for intercollegiate athletes. Begun in
1986, this testing program was stimulated by media-focused concern
about drug abuse among college and professional athletes and by the new
policy of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) to test ath-
letes at national competitions for drugs. The objective was to protect the
health and safety of all competitors, provide assistance for those identi-
fied as substance users, and prevent an unfair competitive edge by those
who abuse certain chemical substances.

Each athlete was required to provide an initial urine sample during pre-
season medical evaluations. Substances tested included anabolic steroids,
central nervous system stimulants, narcotic analgesics, psychomotor
stimulants, and other drugs (PCP, marijuana, Quaaludes, barbiturates,
and related substances). Those who tested positive were contacted by the
team physician, offered voluntary counseling, and retested with randomly
selected teammates. All students with positive first samples, plus several
others selected on a random basis, were retested.

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