High School Drug Screen

[rcpatriot]

blueangel, I'm going to agree, but disagree with you on the awareness/education point. Most student athletes know the dangers of the drugs/supplements they are taking, but choose to ignore them. The awareness/education really needs to be done with the administration, teachers, and parents, and make them accountable for not doing something when they know or even think that a kid is or has taken something illegal.

This may get long, but I'm going to share situation that I personally have been involved in while coaching at the HS level and traveling league.

First, a couple of years ago an athlete that I coached for 4 years passed away because of an overdose. This wasn't a first time usage overdose. He knew the chances he was taking each and everytime he popped a pill. Coaches, teachers, parents, students, all knew he was doing drugs on a regular basis. Many friends and fellow athletes tried to sway him away from these drugs. I saw him at a HS basketball game 2 weeks before he died. He was high on something then, and I didn't take that opportunity to talk to him about his problem. Could I have stopped him from ever using drugs again, we'll never know because I didn't make the effort. Why? Because his parents knew what he was doing and he's their responsibility, not mine. Right?! I have kids of my own and that's all I'm responsible for. Right?! WRONG!!! Each and every kid, you as a coach, parent, student, administrator, come in contact with is your responsibility. Period! No fine line. No gray area. Period!

The day that we buried this young man, I made a vow that I would never pass up the opportunity to attempt to change the direction of a "wayword" kid again. I challenged the students, our local administration, coaches, teachers, parents, etc. to take the same attitude. For some, this event that I described had a very lasting effect on their lives, for others, sadly to say it didn't.

We have kids in classes stoned out of their mind and teachers not attempting to do anything about it. We have athletes taking "supplements" and their coaches not attempting to do anything about it. We have kids underage drinking at adult parties and adults not doing anything about it.

 

You tell me who's responsible? Period!

[mikey65]

rcpatriot,

I really hate what happened to this kid, but if everyone including his parents knew what he was doing then what good would a drug test have done?

[GLee]

There are several very valid points thru this thread. This time Mikey, I read them all.

 

I, personally, am for random drug testing of athletes and other students who participate in school funded activities. Simple as that and yes, that would put a deep 'screw' into the local school board here. They seem to have their hands full with poor leadership and a lack of citizen support at the same time. Catch22 going on here with a citizens organization that has run amuck.

 

Drug testing....yes. Our children need all of the leadership we can give them, at home and at school and hopefully everywhere in-between. All we can do is try our best and then the kids have to make the right decisions from there. Nothing is perfect although we like to thing that it is. That is life but I would gladly foot my part of the bill for the 'testing step'.

 

Of course, I'm also one of 'those' who think that it is ok for Big Brother to listen in every now and then for the safety of America and her citizenry. BUT, I've got nothing to hide............do you?

[Lost Old Dad]

'If' suppliments are not safe then 'why' are we allowing coaches to sell them to players?

 

Yes it is happening, but as I know nothing about suppliments I would honestly like to know the whys for them.

[wingman10]

OK I haved stayed out of this so far. As one of the few here that has actually given and been tested numerous times I have to ask one question. What 'drugs' are they actually gonna test for?

 

Pot, Meth. Roids or what? The drugs you actually test for determines the 'cost' of the test involved. Just the simple pot, coke, meth and the like the test kit runs about $15 bought in quantity. Roids is more involved. A pee test CAN be beaten, the hair test cannot and will show ANYTHING taken the MONTH prior.

 

As to my personal feelings about kids taking them, 'if' it will save even ONE life either off or on the field I am for it. I have seen way too many lives destroyed by drugs. The illegal ones and the roids.

 

I would test EVERYBODY also connected with the school. Teachers, bus drivers, kids, even janitors. Think about how many employers test now before they hire anybody. They do this for one reason. It saves them money in the long run.

 

BTW, my kids stayed off drugs and they know that it was possible for them to be tested ANY time I thought they might have used. I have access to test kits and they knew it! Was it right? I don't know and frankly don't care as long as it kept them off drugs.

very good post

[mikey65]

There are several very valid points thru this thread. This time Mikey, I read them all.

 

I, personally, am for random drug testing of athletes and other students who participate in school funded activities. Simple as that and yes, that would put a deep 'screw' into the local school board here. They seem to have their hands full with poor leadership and a lack of citizen support at the same time. Catch22 going on here with a citizens organization that has run amuck.

 

Drug testing....yes. Our children need all of the leadership we can give them, at home and at school and hopefully everywhere in-between. All we can do is try our best and then the kids have to make the right decisions from there. Nothing is perfect although we like to thing that it is. That is life but I would gladly foot my part of the bill for the 'testing step'.

 

Of course, I'm also one of 'those' who think that it is ok for Big Brother to listen in every now and then for the safety of America and her citizenry. BUT, I've got nothing to hide............do you?

I f I had anything to hide I would not have spent 8 years in the Marine Corps. But what does me having something to hide have to do with drug testing high school athletes?

[rcpatriot]

If drug testing all employees and students would possible help save a life, test them all. But, I would imagine that many would complain that their "rights" are being violated or that it would cost the tax payers too much money. You don't want to be tested, get your parents to homeschool you, or don't do the drugs.

 

Recently, a father that I know had been told his son was hanging around some other kids that were smoking pot. The father asked his son if he was involved and his son said no. The father asked his son if he would be willing to take a drug test and they did. Some may call this unwarranted. I call this preventative maintenance.

This father didn't take the "blind eye" approach. Instead, he let his son know right up front that "if your going to do the crime, you'll do the time".

 

Most people would be shocked to hear how many parents I have come into contact with that take the attitude "what I don't know, won't hurt me". A couple of months ago a few kids that I know got busted at a "after prom" party. They were ticketed for underage drinking. Their parents were not "officially" notified. It was left up to the kids to tell their parents. Some of these parents actually said that they would have rather little johnny not of told them.

 

Point is, a lot of parents REALLY don't want to know if little johnny or peggy sue is doing something wrong until it's too late.

[mikey65]

If drug testing all employees and students would possible help save a life, test them all. But, I would imagine that many would complain that their "rights" are being violated or that it would cost the tax payers too much money. You don't want to be tested, get your parents to homeschool you, or don't do the drugs.

 

Recently, a father that I know had been told his son was hanging around some other kids that were smoking pot. The father asked his son if he was involved and his son said no. The father asked his son if he would be willing to take a drug test and they did. Some may call this unwarranted. I call this preventative maintenance.

This father didn't take the "blind eye" approach. Instead, he let his son know right up front that "if your going to do the crime, you'll do the time".

 

Most people would be shocked to hear how many parents I have come into contact with that take the attitude "what I don't know, won't hurt me". A couple of months ago a few kids that I know got busted at a "after prom" party. They were ticketed for underage drinking. Their parents were not "officially" notified. It was left up to the kids to tell their parents. Some of these parents actually said that they would have rather little johnny not of told them.

 

Point is, a lot of parents REALLY don't want to know if little johnny or peggy sue is doing something wrong until it's too late.

Why should'nt we test home schooled kids as well? Don't you care about their safety?

Good on this dad for getting his son tested. I would not have asked my son beforehand if he was doing drugs though if I were to test him though. What would this father had done if his son had failed the drug test?

I know a lot of kids that go to proms are over 18 years of age. I'm not sure about the party you are talking about, but that might be why parents were'nt notified.

[rcpatriot]

"Why should'nt we test home schooled kids as well? Don't you care about their safety?"

 

I think I've shared my desire to keep ALL our kids clean. My point was simply that it should be mandatory for all kids in public/private schools to be sujected to a random drug test. Why are the athletes, band, cheerleaders, etc. being singled out. Test them all. Home schooled kids too!!

[mikey65]

"Why should'nt we test home schooled kids as well? Don't you care about their safety?"

 

I think I've shared my desire to keep ALL our kids clean. My point was simply that it should be mandatory for all kids in public/private schools to be sujected to a random drug test. Why are the athletes, band, cheerleaders, etc. being singled out. Test them all. Home schooled kids too!!

I agree with testing everyone, not just athletes. I think the DEA should be able to go door to door and do drug tests on everyone in the U.S. Those that test positive should be executed on the spot. Now that would help end our drug problem. Why would anyone oppose this?

[rcpatriot]

I agree with testing everyone, not just athletes. I think the DEA should be able to go door to door and do drug tests on everyone in the U.S. Those that test positive should be executed on the spot. Now that would help end our drug problem. Why would anyone oppose this?

 

Your sarcasm doesn't amuse me.

[Lions4ever]

I agree with testing everyone, not just athletes. I think the DEA should be able to go door to door and do drug tests on everyone in the U.S. Those that test positive should be executed on the spot. Now that would help end our drug problem. Why would anyone oppose this?

Sarcasm aside its been said many times throughout this thread....if you have nothing to hide then it shouldn't matter if the DEA camps out in your living room and tests you hourly. I think in this case guilt breeds contempt. Those of us that don't do drugs and those of us who are not afraid (and in fact would be grateful) to find out if our children were gettin mixed up in things we were unaware of will always be for drug testing. As for the rest, I have to believe that there are objections to it other than the desire to be fair or not violate someone's civil rights.