Pubdate: Thu, 25 Apr 2002
Source: Daily Star, The (NY)
Copyright: 2002 The Daily Star
Contact:  http://www.thedailystar.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/557
Author: Kathy Weber
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Testing)

ATHLETES WHO TAKE DRUGS HURT TEAMS

In response to the letter concerning the Oneonta baseball player that was 
"benched for dope" -- if his chance at a college or professional baseball 
career is at risk, whose fault is it? The newspaper for printing that he 
got caught, or him for taking the chance, knowing he was breaking athletic 
rules.

Last year it was some other Oneonta baseball players in trouble. The ones 
who suffer are the rest of the team. If an athlete wants to take the risk, 
he deserves to lose the chance to make it. There are hundreds of other 
athletes wanting the same thing who are smart enough to keep away from 
drugs and alcohol.

How many times in the last year have we read about some of the area's top 
talent getting into trouble? Maybe they get off too easy sometimes, but why 
think it can't happen?

I have a son who is an ace pitcher. No one is perfect, but all through high 
school he has put his dreams ahead of peer pressure, and I respect him 
greatly for that. If teammates were to get caught and ruin his final 
season, such as what happened in Morris basketball this year, he could 
never get that back. Is it fair to those who work hard and make something 
of themselves?

That student should have thought of the consequences. It really is too bad, 
because he's obviously a talented ball player, but sometimes you get what 
you ask for.

I agree with drug tests for athletes. If you sign the code of conduct, then 
there should be no problem with getting tested. The only problem would be 
not enough athletes left to make a team! I don't believe any of our schools 
realize just how big their drug problems are.

Kathy Weber, Bainbridge
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