Chad Starkey, Thomas E. Abdenour, David Finnane
Journal of Athletic Training Volume 29 * Number 2 * 1994
Department of Physical Therapy at Northeastern University
in Boston, MA 02115.
Since the inception of NCAA-mandated drug screening in 1986, college athletic trainers have found themselves involved at various
levels in institutional drug-screening programs. Several legal, moral, and ethical questions have been raised regarding the drug screening of college athletes, and studies have been conducted to rate athletes' attitudes toward this practice. We examined the responses of certified athletic trainers employed in college settings
to ascertain their attitudes toward the drug screening ofathletes in general, and, specifically, how they view their role in this process.
Surveys were distributed to 500 college athletic trainers randomly selectedfrom the membership database maintained by the National Athletic Trainers' Association, Inc (Dallas, TX).
The results of this survey indicate that the majority of athletic trainers feel that their association with the drug-screening process places them in the dual role of police and counselor, but that this relationship does not negatively affect their rapport with their athletes. Opinions regarding the drug-screening process and the importance of education in deterring drug use are somewhat dependent upon the athletic trainer's involvement in the drug-screening process. Athletic trainers possess a stronger desire to serve as resource persons who organize substance abuse education programs ratherthan serving as administrators of the sampling process.
