Pubdate: Sun, 13 Aug 2006
Source: Courier-Post (Cherry Hill, NJ)
Copyright: 2006 Courier-Post
Contact:  http://www.courierpostonline.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/826
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Test)

ALLOW PARENTS TO SIGN OFF ON RANDOM DRUG TESTS

Where we stand: The body that governs high school sports in New 
Jersey should alter its first-in-the-nation policy to test athletes 
for banned substances.

While it is most certainly important to teach our young athletes the 
dangers of anabolic steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs, 
the policy the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association 
will employ goes too far by not giving parents their rightful chance 
to approve or disapprove of the testing.

The NJSIAA, beginning with high school sports this fall, will 
randomly test athletes who qualify for team or individual state 
championships for more than 80 banned substances, including steroids.

Although it's well-intentioned, the policy ought to be revised. Just 
as former Gov. Richard J. Codey stepped into this issue by signing an 
executive order to establish the testing, Gov. Jon Corzine ought to 
ensure the policy doesn't erode civil liberties. He should issue an 
executive order forcing participating high schools to ask parents to 
sign a release form before allowing kids to be tested.

No adult can be forced, under the United States Constitution, to 
offer the government self-incriminating evidence.

While those high school athletes who are minors have a different 
status under our law than adults, it's still dangerous ground for the 
government, through the NJSIAA, to take potential criminal evidence 
from their bodies in the form of urine, hair or blood samples without 
their approval or the approval of their legal guardians. That's what 
this new NJSIAA policy allows, however.

Alter Policy

The NJSIAA policy could be a commendable one if it gave parents the 
choice of whether or not to allow their sons and daughters to be tested.

Considering that most parents don't want their kids injecting 
themselves with steroids or cheating by taking other potentially 
harmful drugs, it's very likely a majority of them would allow their 
sons and daughters to be tested if their sports teams made the state playoffs.

Frankly, parents, if given the choice, should allow their kids to be tested.

Teens today see professional athletes with beefed up bodies make 
millions of dollars. Because of that, there can be a tremendous lure 
for young athletes get stronger and faster by any means available. 
Unfortunately, at least some high school athletes probably put 
themselves at risk by artificially enhancing their bodies in their 
efforts to earn college scholarships or become professional athletes.

Yet, what many young athletes probably don't know is all the serious 
dangers associated with steroid use. Along with the well-known 
symptoms of acne and mood swings, steroids can also cause heart 
disease, liver damage, blood clots, cancers and strokes, according to 
the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Surely, most parents don't want their kids taking such serious health risks.

Nevertheless, there are likely some student-athletes and their 
parents who would feel as if the testing before playoff games is an 
unwarranted and illegal intrusion. And they may be justified in not 
wanting to allow the NJSIAA to take potential evidence from their 
bodies without permission.

If these high schoolers and their parents feel their constitutional 
rights are being violated, the NJSIAA shouldn't force them to submit 
to a random drug test just because their baseball or soccer team made 
the playoffs.

It's one thing for an employer -- whether it's the National Football 
League or just a local fast-food restaurant -- to require employees 
to submit to drug testing. No adult is forced to work for a certain 
organization. If someone doesn't like drug testing, they can go find 
another job where it doesn't occur.

Different Situation

However, it's a little different with high school athletes. They 
aren't adults and there's little means for them to go play football 
or basketball for another school if they have a fundamental 
disagreement with random drug testing, especially if athletes from 
every high school are being tested.

It's not unwise for New Jersey to take steps to prevent teenagers 
from harming their bodies and cheating by taking steroids. High 
school health teachers and athletic coaches should do all they can to 
prevent kids from experimenting with banned substances.

Likewise, testing isn't a bad idea to keep performance-enhancing 
drugs out of high school sports, either.

But not giving parents or kids a choice in the matter is an 
infringement on their constitutional rights to not be subject to 
government search and seizure. Before playoffs for fall sports start 
in a few months, the NJSIAA should amend its policy to require 
parents' approvals before any students are tested.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman