Performance Enhancing Substances and Steroids Policy

Preamble
The Beaulieu College Performance Enhancing Substances and Steroids Policy was drawn up in response to the growing use (and abuse) of performance enhancing substances.

This policy is continually under review and will be updated as new information becomes available.

Beaulieu College subscribes to the philosophy of encouraging a well-balanced diet first and foremost, making the requirement for dietary supplementation and the use of performance enhancing substances, such as steroids, unnecessary.

This policy covers the use, sale and testing for steroids.

Reasons for the Policy
The desire to achieve an enhanced body image, to succeed on the sports field, or to play for the top school, provincial or national teams is a strong and often over-riding motivator and influence in the lives of adolescents. This can cause pupils to risk their short and long-term health by using prohibited performance enhancing substances as a shortcut to meeting these goals.

Moreover, the use of prohibited performance enhancing substances without a medical prescription is a criminal offence, is cheating and is a violation of the honesty and integrity of fair participation.

Beaulieu College is committed to act against this behaviour by introducing a testing programme and educating pupils on the health and moral dangers of using prohibited performance enhancing substances.

Reasons for Testing
Using prohibited performance enhancing substances can cause serious, adverse health effects, give an unfair advantage in competition and is considered cheating.

Testing for prohibited performance enhancing substances can help deter their use among pupils.

Prohibited performance enhancing substances are drugs that should only be used to treat medical conditions. Possession, use or dealing in prohibited performance enhancing substances without a prescription is illegal.

Steroids
Steroids, officially known as anabolic-androgenic steroids, are drugs which mimic the effects of the male sex hormones testosterone and dihydrotestosterone. They increase protein synthesis within cells, which results in the build-up of cellular tissue (anabolism), especially in muscles. Anabolic steroids also have androgenic and virilising properties, including the development and maintenance of masculine characteristics. (www.wada-ama.org)

Performance enhancing substances are divided into two groups:

Sports Supplements
Sports supplements are nutritional supplements taken with the specific aim of improving sporting performance or body image. They are freely available over the counter and there is no control over their sale.

It very important to note that scientific trials undertaken in respect of sport supplements, have generally been carried out on adult males.

Performance enhancing sports supplements are not recommended for use by any person under the age of 18 years, who is still growing and developing.

Certain sports supplements inadvertently contain substances that are prohibited by the South African Institute for Drug Free Sport ("SAIDS") and the World Anti-Doping Agency ("WADA").

Prohibited performance enhancing substances
Prohibited performance enhancing substances include all supplements and drugs which are prohibited by WADA and include, amongst others, steroids and various stimulants. These substances are generally prohibited because of their performance enhancing properties and adverse effects on health.

Use and possession of performance enhancing substances
It is a violation of the Beaulieu College Code of Conduct for any pupil to possess, ingest or otherwise use any substance on the list of prohibited performance enhancing substances as compiled by WADA, without a written prescription from a fully-licensed physician (recognised by the Health Professions Council of South Africa) to treat a medical condition.

Sale of performance enhancing substances
No person (including staff and pupils of Beaulieu College) may sell, distribute or otherwise trade in sports supplements or prohibited performance enhancing substances on Beaulieu College's property. Any pupil or staff member caught dealing in sports supplements or prohibited performance enhancing substances will be liable to appear before a disciplinary hearing and could face possible expulsion / dismissal from Beaulieu College.

Testing and Searches for Prohibited Performance Enhancing Substances, Including Steroids
Beaulieu College has an existing illegal drug policy ("the Drug Policy"), which forms part of the enrolment agreement signed by parents/guardians.

Testing and searches for prohibited performance enhancing substances forms part of the Drug Policy. Refusal to undergo a test renders the pupil ineligible to participate in any sports programme whether it be at an inter-house or inter-schools level.

Testing and searches
Testing and searches can be conducted at any time of the year: pre-season, during a particular season or post-season.

Testing and searches are not restricted to participants in any one particular sport.

Testing and searches by Beaulieu College
Testing for the use of or searches for the possession of prohibited performance enhancing substances, including steroids, will be done in accordance with the Drug Policy

Testing by SAIDS
External testing for the use of prohibited performance enhancing substances may be done by SAIDS.

Any violations detected by SAIDS will be dealt with at a national sporting level and bans of up to two years ( or more for repeat offences) may apply.

These tests may be conducted during tournaments, festivals and inter-schools matches - not necessarily only at 1st team level.

Urine tests will be used.

The substances tested for will include any substances that are prohibited by SAIDS and WADA as well as recreational drugs.

Sports supplements
Pupils must be aware that many sports supplements may contain prohibited performance enhancing substances because of the unregulated nature of the sports supplement industry. Impure sports supplements may lead to positive test results because their purity and safety cannot be guaranteed.

The contamination of sports or other nutritional supplements will not be accepted as a valid explanation or excuse for a test result which is positive for the use of prohibited performance enhancing substances.

Consequences/sanctions for violations of this policy:
Any pupil who tests positive for the use of a prohibited performance enhancing substance, refuses to provide a testing sample, is caught in possession of prohibited performance enhancing substances, reports his own violation, or sells, distributes or trades in any prohibited performance enhancing substance will face the following consequences:


 * the pupil's parents will be informed of the violation;
 * the pupil will be dealt with according to the same process pertaining to the Drug Policy; and
 * the pupil may appear at a disciplinary hearing.

The minimum sanction could include:


 * forfeiture of eligibility to participate in any competitive sport for Beaulieu College for a minimum period of 6 months from the date of the test;
 * a ban from using the Gym (weights section) for a minimum period of 6 months;
 * a 2 week internal suspension;
 * a ban on participating in any local, provincial, national representative sports trials, matches or tournaments for 6 months; and
 * forfeiture of any individual Beaulieu College award, this could include the withdrawal of colours and honours awards.
 * suspension or expulsion from Beaulieu College.

Amendments
This Policy may be amended from time to time by Beaulieu College in its sole discretion.

See also: Drug Policy, Code of Conduct