Pubdate: Tue, 06 Sep 2005
Source: Athens News, The (OH)
Copyright: 2005, Athens News
Contact:  http://www.athensnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1603
Author: Steve Hayburn
Note: Editor's note: Alexander's new policy does not include testing for
performance-enhancing drugs.

DRUG-TESTING POLICY MIGHT SOON BECOME STATEWIDE REQUIREMENT

Everyone has said his or her piece on the student drug-testing policy
at the Alexander School District except for me. I have read both sides
of the argument carefully, and I have not seen one person ask the
following question. What are you going to do when OHSAA mandates
drug-testing policies in the state? I believe in the next several
years OHSAA will adopt a drug-testing policy (if they have not
already) with regards to performance-enhancing drug use in athletes. I
must say that I support this action if and when it takes place.

Too many kids out there are clean but are not given a chance because
the other athletes are beefed up because of steroids. Steroids can
kill a person, and it seems that a lot of citizens are negating that
fact and only whining and crying because their kids are getting tested
and it's a violation of their rights. HELLO! If you are using
performance-enhancing drugs, you should be ousted and made to be an
outcast and used as an example, and I think that is what a lot of
parents are afraid of if their child fails a drug test.

Policies take a lot of time and research and you cannot implement
something of this magnitude over a short period of time.

I agree with Alexander Schools for implementing their drug-testing
policy but they should have taken the time and done a more thorough
job. I do not agree with the continuous griping and complaining from
the parents because it violates their children's rights. Maybe some
things should have been done different but the policy is implemented,
and it is there to stay. Don't lay the blame on the school board for
implementing this policy; blame the ones who use those drugs and the
parents who support their kids by using performance-enhancing drugs.
After all it is the bad kids who are responsible for such policies
being implemented, not the good kids.

So think about what you would do if OHSAA implemented a standardized
drug-testing policy that ALL schools would have to adopt. Who would
you blame then?

Steve Hayburn

Nelsonville

Editor's note: Alexander's new policy does not include testing for
performance-enhancing drugs.
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin