Drug Testing Student Athletes

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The idea of drug testing student-athletes has been discussed on school boards for years, and it has lots of mixed opinions. Some people believe that it would not be consistent and could cause false testing. This could add embarrassment to the players if the drug test results are positive. However, athletes should be role models for the youth, so showing that it is acceptable to use performance-enhancing drugs, or any non-prescribed drug, is bad for the younger upcoming athletes. Using non-prescribed drugs or performance enhancers can cause an unfair advantage in strength, speed, and stamina against other athletes. Doing random drug tests could also cause students' drug use rates to go down. This could prevent multiple career-ending decisions …show more content…

Ultimately, dropping drug use rates isn’t the only goal schools want to reach, they mainly want to cause fair, fun, and enjoyable sporting events. With the least chance of injury to enrolled students and other students in opposing schools, and drug testing for uncontrolled substance and performance-enhancing drugs. To begin, older students, such as the high school and college level athletes, are strongly looked up to by the younger athletes and future generations of their sports. According to the website, “As athletes are supposed to be role models for the youth, it is important that they should go by the rules, especially the unwritten laws of good sportsmanship.”(Lombardo). Having the accountability of having to take drug tests while being an upperclassman athlete, keeps these athletes choosing to stay clean, and also shows younger athletes that by being drug-free and in your natural state when competing in any sporting events you can still exceed success, completely clean of any drug. In conclusion, this is why upperclassmen should be drug …show more content…

As stated previously, performance enhancers can make you stronger, faster, and have more stamina. This could cause injuries in many sports, especially American football, the hits in American football are crucial enough but giving them more speed leading up to a tackle, and more strength on the hit, could cause serious injury. In conclusion, if schools add mandatory drug tests, this could prevent any performance-enhancing users from causing injuries, or unfair and “cheated” victories or placements. Another reason for drug tests is because, aside from athletics, being a student-athlete can be hard at times, so stress and anxiety come with it. Drug testing can identify the problem before it turns into an addiction or even worse, death. According to the website, ”Between scholarships, grades, and their performances in games, student athletes deal with a lot of pressure and responsibility. A positive drug test provides an opportunity for the school to address the issue and get the student athlete

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