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Drug testing in Junior Sport

Good evening Stuart,

I think the idea of doing random drug tests in junior sport is a good idea…you probably wouldn't get many cheats until the older teens, but it might help instil in to the younger ones a fear of getting caught.

Also, just on the issue of the Golden Point in the NRL, it's an interesting concept, but I think it could be improved. I think it would be better if when the game goes to golden point, both teams get one competition point, and then the winner gets an extra point. If they can't sort it out after ten minutes it's a draw and nobody gets the extra point.

Oh, and I finally had a decent round of NRL tipping…5 from 8, pity about my 3 from 8 in the AFL!

Regards,
Samuel Gordon-Stewart
Canberra

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#1 Comment By Clayton Northcutt On April 4, 2007 @ 5:36 pm

Samuel,

Do you know what the process is for drug testing? If you do, are you seriously saying that children should be subjected to that treatment?

#2 Comment By Samuel On April 4, 2007 @ 5:52 pm

Yes, I am aware of the process, and yes I do think that random tests in junior sport should take place.

I don’t expect the testing to be anywhere near as vigorous as it is in professional sport, and I wouldn’t expect pre-teens to be subjected to it more than once a year.

I just think that having kids know that:
1. The process isn’t exactly pleasant and is only really necessary if people take drugs
2. Taking drugs isn’t worth the risk.

Even if they have never taken drugs, is worthwhile as it will, hopefully, instil those values in to them.

Admittedly the first “value” is debatable…but logically if nobody took any drugs, we wouldn’t need to test for them would we?

#3 Comment By Clayton Northcutt On April 4, 2007 @ 9:24 pm

Well sure, if you believe that stripping children down of their clothes to stand naked before adults, regardless of ‘training’, is a pro-active process for their cognitive development, I guess I won’t be able to persuade you from that. However, it is my belief that such treatment and exposure causes ill-development on a child.

And you say that you want kids to know that the process should be undertaken if people are taking drugs, but then say that you would just as quickly test kids that have never taken drugs.

Further, there are certainly more effective ways to deter kids from drug use than drug testing!

#4 Comment By Samuel On April 4, 2007 @ 9:30 pm

I can see where the confusion is here Clayton. I don’t agree with making children strip, but I agree with the rest of the drug testing procedure.

And the other thing I said (or at least tried to say) is that if nobody in the world took drugs then we wouldn’t need to test for it, but as long as at least one person does, we need to test for it. If the kids do their part, maybe one day we won’t need the testing.

#5 Comment By Clayton Northcutt On April 5, 2007 @ 9:36 am

I wasn’t confused. I asked if you knew the process, you replied in the affirmative and then said that that process should continue. And if you don’t think that should be happening, you’re going to need to develop a method in which cheating the system cannot occur.

And if one adult is taking drugs, why test the children? What part can the kids possibly play when they are minors in the care of others!?

#6 Comment By Bearded Clam On April 6, 2007 @ 5:41 pm

When I was a kid, I tested many drugs. Ketamine was a favourite.