Pubdate: Tue, 18 Jan 2005
Source: Globe-Gazette (IA)
Copyright: 2005 Globe-Gazette
Contact: http://www.globegazette.com/sitepages/modules/editorltr.shtml
Website: http://www.globegazette.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1568
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Test)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

NIACC DRUG POLICY HELPS ITS ATHLETES MAKE GOOD CHOICES

When the semester started at North Iowa Area Community College last fall, 
about 200 student athletes got a surprise lecture. They were told that the 
school was beginning testing for drug use.

They were told that about 20 percent of the athletes would be picked at 
random to be tested, that those people would be given little notice, and 
that sanctions would await those who failed the test or refused to take the 
test. Other students who showed signs of drug use could also be tested.

No one suspected a major drug problem at the school -- or if they did, no 
one was saying it publicly. School officials said they were concerned about 
the students' well-being and wanted to help them make the right decisions.

So, with some prodding by the governing National Junior College Athletic 
Association, the school took the bold step of becoming one of few Iowa 
community colleges to test for drugs -- illegal drugs, the misuse of 
over-the-counter drugs or use of forged prescriptions, and alcohol.

Results from the first two rounds of testing are in -- 29 students tested 
in all -- and one athlete tested positive.

Now, in a perfect world, or in the world of many years past, perhaps, one 
would be too many. It still is, really. No one wants to see a person harm 
his body with questionable substances.

Yet, athletes at the highest levels do just that; baseball's recent steroid 
incidents are a perfect example. It would be naive to think the problem 
doesn't exist locally.

So, all things considered, one incident is, as NIACC Athletic Director Ryan 
McGuire puts it, "somewhat acceptable" and "not a huge shock to our system."

In fact, one incident among 29 can be viewed as a testament to the quality 
of athletes the college is bringing onto its campus, and a testament to the 
staff for delivering the message about drugs.

When NIACC announced implementation of the policy, we applauded it as a 
sign of the college's true concern for the all-around individual, not just 
the athlete on the playing field or gym floor.

We mentioned NIACC's reputation of having staff members who care about 
their players. We suggested that parents and students concerned in any way 
about the climate at the college could take some satisfaction in knowing 
that measures are in place to promote and provide a healthy environment.

Now, the first results of the drug testing are proof that NIACC is 
promoting just such an environment.

Not everyone gets the message, of course. As long as people have free will 
some will decide to make poor choices. But the school is using the program 
to help kids deal with problems, rather than simply as a "gotcha!" to 
identify and punish athletes who are abusing drugs.

As basketball coach Steve Krafcisin said, "Part of our job is to help kids, 
not ruin them."

Random drug testing will help achieve that goal. So far, testing has 
produced the expected results -- results reflecting well on the college and 
its student athletes.
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MAP posted-by: Beth