Much debate has gone on as to 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 SEC, 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 IA.

For several months prior to 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 than other institutions that routinely do drug testing? First, we have chosen to test our student-athletes frequently. We randomly test 10–15 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 currently 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 as to why we changed the policy 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. If the student-athletes do not go to counseling, there are no more strikes—they are off the team permanently.

The student-athlete is now tested every seven to 10 days for a full year. 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 him or her 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.

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