Editorials and Opinions
Should High School Athletes be Tested for Performance Enhancing Drugs?
YES!
by Amelia Fason-Gordon
There have been several debates about whether students should be tested for performance enhancing drugs. According to Kimberly Yee of USA Today, students should be tested and testing is even enforced in some states. Certain studies agree that tough love works on probation violators and under harder circumstances, they actually do obey the law and practice abstinence to drugs.
“No Drug Tests, No Welfare is the motto in states for individuals who chose not to take a drug test. Receiving a public benefit is a privilege not a right. The debate on drug testing welfare recipients is simply about the responsible use of tax dollars. It is irresponsible for monies to subsidize the use of illegal drugs, according to a recent article by Kimberly Yee of USA Today. She says taxpayers should not be in the business of supporting the lifestyles of those who use drugs. She states further that if taxpayers contributed unknowingly the welfare organization will be condoning illegal behavior.
A recent CNN news report stated that research indicates that some offenders were getting off after failing drug tests and violating probation a dozen or more times. If we were to start testing students for drugs whilst they’re in school, they will feel the need to resist taking drugs. Studies show that the earlier you do drugs, the better the chance of becoming addicted. Suppose we test the kids in high school, they won’t be taking drugs because they would want their tests to be clean, therefore they dodge the risk of becoming addicted later on in life which is excellent.
Now, the federal system is a bit smarter and a lot more consistent and there are immediate consequences for violators. If the school were to punish those who failed their tests by at least calling that violators’ parents, they would be enforcing a stricter rule and encouraging them not to do drugs. Suppose students weren’t forced to take these tests, they would either start to take these drugs or continue taking them and that would be horrible and a game full of cheaters which would not be fair for fair players. Testing students for performance enhancing drugs at school is a good idea says Debate.org. Tough love works and there is research to prove it, so let's test our student athletes and keep them healthy!
“No Drug Tests, No Welfare is the motto in states for individuals who chose not to take a drug test. Receiving a public benefit is a privilege not a right. The debate on drug testing welfare recipients is simply about the responsible use of tax dollars. It is irresponsible for monies to subsidize the use of illegal drugs, according to a recent article by Kimberly Yee of USA Today. She says taxpayers should not be in the business of supporting the lifestyles of those who use drugs. She states further that if taxpayers contributed unknowingly the welfare organization will be condoning illegal behavior.
A recent CNN news report stated that research indicates that some offenders were getting off after failing drug tests and violating probation a dozen or more times. If we were to start testing students for drugs whilst they’re in school, they will feel the need to resist taking drugs. Studies show that the earlier you do drugs, the better the chance of becoming addicted. Suppose we test the kids in high school, they won’t be taking drugs because they would want their tests to be clean, therefore they dodge the risk of becoming addicted later on in life which is excellent.
Now, the federal system is a bit smarter and a lot more consistent and there are immediate consequences for violators. If the school were to punish those who failed their tests by at least calling that violators’ parents, they would be enforcing a stricter rule and encouraging them not to do drugs. Suppose students weren’t forced to take these tests, they would either start to take these drugs or continue taking them and that would be horrible and a game full of cheaters which would not be fair for fair players. Testing students for performance enhancing drugs at school is a good idea says Debate.org. Tough love works and there is research to prove it, so let's test our student athletes and keep them healthy!
NO!
by Kerese McPherson and Adela Vlahovljak
Performance-enhancing drugs are stimulants that are known to build and strengthen muscle and can also reduce body fat. Many people believe that these drugs are used by athletes in professional, high school, and college sports.
Though some believe students should be tested for performance enhancing drugs, we do not. We disagree with that because testing is invasion of a student athlete’s privacy. The thought of testing students for “doping” is not quite fair since pupils use other performance enhancements according to Matthew J. Mitten from USA Today. These athletes use stimulants such as energy bars, electrolyte drinks, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals. If a teenager wants to have a little boost in their activities then I don’t see why not and if they are going to be tested for performance enhancing stimulants why are not these other enhancements within that category of “doping?”
Imagine that your child, niece, nephew, grandchild, is playing organized sports. Would you want them being tested for drugs? If your answer is yes then that shows you have little trust in them as an individual. In our opinion showing lack of trust would push a child to trying performance-enhancing drugs if they weren’t already involved in their use. Teenagers are stubborn and sensitive, so if lack of trust from a parent or any adult figure would result in them rebelling. Testing a child won’t change the fact that they have and will continue using performance-enhancing drugs.
Though some believe students should be tested for performance enhancing drugs, we do not. We disagree with that because testing is invasion of a student athlete’s privacy. The thought of testing students for “doping” is not quite fair since pupils use other performance enhancements according to Matthew J. Mitten from USA Today. These athletes use stimulants such as energy bars, electrolyte drinks, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals. If a teenager wants to have a little boost in their activities then I don’t see why not and if they are going to be tested for performance enhancing stimulants why are not these other enhancements within that category of “doping?”
Imagine that your child, niece, nephew, grandchild, is playing organized sports. Would you want them being tested for drugs? If your answer is yes then that shows you have little trust in them as an individual. In our opinion showing lack of trust would push a child to trying performance-enhancing drugs if they weren’t already involved in their use. Teenagers are stubborn and sensitive, so if lack of trust from a parent or any adult figure would result in them rebelling. Testing a child won’t change the fact that they have and will continue using performance-enhancing drugs.