U Of Oregon Responds To Report Of Rampant Marijuana Use

Following a report that estimated 40 to 60 percent of the football team smoked marijuana, Mullens issued a statement Wednesday addressing the story in ESPN The Magazine, which accompanies a larger piece that looks at marijuana use among college football players. The Oregon story is based on interviews with 19 current or former Oregon players and officials.

Mullens says that Oregon tests student-athletes to the full extent possible under Oregon state law, which prohibits random drug tests. The school’s policy allows for testing when there is a ’reasonable suspicion.’

’We continue to work diligently to educate our student-athletes on the harmful impact of illegal substances. In addition, we have articulated our illegal substances policy to our student-athletes and have clearly defined sanctions for a positive test,’ Mullens said in a statement that was released with the school’s drug policy.

For a positive drug test, Oregon athletes receive counseling and education. A second positive test results in a ’behavior modification contract’ between the student and the coach. Athletes are ineligible for half of a season following a third failed test, and will be dismissed from the team and lose their scholarship for the fourth.