To Obey or Not Obey

Katelyn Robinson

Dr. Molly Brost

English 121

2 March 2017

        In todays society when adults or even teenagers think about drug testing, they think about teenagers who have gotten in trouble with the law so they now do drug screening once a week or so for probation. Perhaps that is not always the case now a days. For example,

Ron Rodriguez from County Academy used drugs every day to function. He became so wrapped up in his lifestyle of buying and selling drugs that he felt like a prisoner. His grades dropped below average, and he lived his life based on drugs. For 2 years, he asked for help saying, “Should I go see a therapist?” to anyone that would listen. Ron would flush his system out before the annual drug test, and pass. When County Academy decided to give random drug test instead of annual tests, Ron received the help he needed. The school counseled him, in privacy, and told him he needed to go to rehab. Ron received the help he needed because County Academy found a student whose life was being taken over by drugs and helped influence him to get the proper help he needed. Today, Ron attends County Academy as a junior; he is drug free (Rodriguez, Ron).

This story serves as a great example of how drug testing helps keep students away from using drugs. A school having random drug tests could help lessen drug use and offer help to those feeling controlled by substance addiction (Brady, Lisa A). Drug testing in schools are a potential way of enabling better brain development. Testing can teach a student about becoming employed, for most jobs require a drug test for pre-employment and future employment (Griffin, Stephen O). Drug test teach students to be accountable for their own actions. Non-prescribed drugs are currently illegal for children and adults to use for personal satisfaction, such as achieving an euphoric state of mind or selling for profit. Some people think about this one simple question on a daily bases. To keep our students and schools safe, and effectively cut down on athletics drug use, should random drug testing be allowed for athletes?

        In 2002, the Supreme Court ruled that schools are allowed to drug test students as long as it does not affect them academically. More than 1,000 middle and high schools have chosen to require students to have a drug test administered before they are able to participate in after school activities. If a student’s test results come back positive for the use of drugs, the student is usually banned from extracurricular activities until they participate in counseling and follow up tests (Ballaro and Finley 2). This may seem like an effective way to stop students from using drugs, however, it is not always the best solution. Mandatory drug testing goes against the constitution in that one is supposed to be innocent until proven guilty and people feel that this takes advantage of their privacy.

        Athletes all over the country fail to compete at their highest level because of the use of drugs (mainly marijuana) and the lack of the drug testing by the school. In my opinion it should be mandatory for all athletes to be drug tested at least once a month, regardless of the size or type of school that they are attending. Even though drug testing may be too expensive for community colleges, very good athletes who can make it far with their gift don’t because of the freedom they are given with the drugs that they are using and not being tested for, this is why drug testing should be mandatory for all college athletes.

        Whether in high school or the major league, an athlete represents his or her sport and consequently is responsible for upholding its prestige. If a player signs a contract, they give up their right to act as they desire. They sign on to be a role model for the sport, which includes following its rules. Therefore it is appropriate to have routine drug testing at all levels of athletics, including high school. Athletes are obligated to set a good example. If the rules of the sport or their contract prohibit use of certain substances, they should not be using them.

        Many people may think that drug testing athletes at community or smaller colleges may be too expensive or pointless because many athletes do not make it out of that level. That being said, this is the reasoning why majority of community colleges do not drug test their athletes. But there are always ways to raise money for the teams so there are opportunity’s to drug test at least a few times a year. It is evident that athletes perform better when not under the influence of drugs.

        It is precise that not taking drugs makes the athlete a healthier person. The NCAA said, ”The NCAA shares the responsibility of promoting a drug-free athletics environment with its member institutions to protect the health of student-athletes and preserve fair competition (Buckley GJ).” This is stating that drug testing the athletes is making them a healthier person and also playing with a better performance. Being an athlete it is always important be the healthiest you can be, especially when you need to perform at your highest level. Why shouldn’t this occur for the junior college (NJCAA) level as well?

        Drug testing should be in the NJCAA as well, because it makes the athlete a better person. Lots of money is being raised for drug testing in the Division 1, 2, and 3 levels. The NCAA said,

Approximately $4.5 million is invested each year to collect and analyze approximately 13,500 samples through the NCAA’s national drug-testing program, and more than $1.5 million is provided each year to assist drug-education programs at its member colleges and universities (Buckley GJ).

So if the NCAA can raise this much money, then the NJCAA should be able to raise money also. If not the communities could come together and help raise money for these student athletes. Junior colleges usually have more students attending then universities do, so there is always money sitting around somewhere, but just used for different purposes. If there were a committee just for drug testing in the junior college level, it would be evident that drug testing allows the athlete to be a better person because they would be more focused and have fewer distractions.

        In 2008 there was one junior college school that allowed drug testing, and this school has been very successful in sports since the start of the drug testing.  SGC athletics said,

South Georgia College will conduct drug testing for student-athletes. The student-athlete may be drug tested randomly or by reasonable suspension/just cause. An athlete may be required to be drug tested in or out of season as long as he/she is considered a student-athlete (including summer term). If eligibility has expired but the student-athlete continues to receive aid, he/she may be tested. The Athletic Department also reserves the right to test athletes who are suspected of drug use (Griffin, Stephen O).