BRIAN P. SULLIVAN
The new year has started and things are starting to gear up to what looks like a very exciting, yet cautious year in the City.
The Council itself is just getting it’s sea legs as we usher in six new Councilors to the Chamber. We have started new Committees and under the leadership of our new President, Brent Bean, have begun the process of moving in a positive direction. I have been given the great honor to Chair the Legislative and Ordinance Committee. I have tough shoes to fill, as I follow Councilor Chris Keefe in this capacity. Chris did a wonderful job and I will do my best to continue in this direction. Seeing as there isn’t much new information to write about, I have asked my friend Melanie Fredette to again write an article from a student’s view. She is a junior at Westfield High School and looks forward to one day writing for a newspaper or periodical. I think her topic this week is special because of all the articles being written about drug testing of pro athletes, especially the despised (at least for Red Sox fans) Alex Rodriguez. I hope you enjoy her perspective and insight:
?A very controversial topic among students, faculty, and parents has been drug testing for many years now. In states that require drug tests, athletes are often found guilty of substance abuse. Those states require that if a student is playing a school sport and is caught using drugs, he or she should must take full responsibility for their actions and may face any consequences if there is any lack of respect for the school’s rules. Supporters may say that it is unfair to any student who maintains sobriety to have less playing time and those athletes who use drugs to enhance their performance. Proponents could also say that testing the student athletes is appropriate because it will create a healthier and more enjoyable environment for all participants in school sports.
?Opponents can argue that athletes are being held to a different or higher standard than any other student and that academic clubs should be held to that same standard. The absence of these tests allows the element of trust between the athletes and coaches to remain secure. The lack of drug testing means that the school’s star performers will remain as contributors to the teams. With the current, “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy pertaining to substance abuse, there is no chance of losing a part of the team or having to take disciplinary action.
?With the knowledge of enforced drug tests, athletes may be deterred from using. Having consequences for using drugs may give the students an ultimatum. The athletes will be able to make the decision between their sport and the substances they choose to use.
?Possession of drugs is against the school’s policy and there are consequences for any individual who breaks this rule. Some may say that the consequences should be equal for any student athlete that uses illegal substances because the use of these substances is not only against the school rules, but is illegal. With testing of the athletes, the law will be enforced within the school.
?If drug testing became a requirement for athletes, the consequences could result in the following:
1. Positive tests result in suspension of the sports season for that individual for the first offense.
2. The second offense could include a termination of the player’s season, no sports privileges, and a notation on the record of the student.
3. The third and any further offense may include expulsion from all sports for the rest of the school years.
?If mandatory drug testing of student athletes was enforced, it very well could create a healthier and fairer environment, but could also result in termination of the athlete’s sporting activities. If this were to go into affect, it would be greatly appreciated by some and loathed by others, which is why the topic remains so controversial?
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this column are those of the author and not the staff, editor, or publisher of the Westfield News.
