Pubdate: Mon, 08 Aug 2005
Source: Daily World, The (US WA)
Copyright: 2005 The Daily World
Contact:  http://www.thedailyworld.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2094
Author: David Burdick
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Test)

TESTING TO CATCH 'WEEKEND STONERS' NOT WORTH IT

Who cares if athletes use steroids?

It's a performance enhancing drug, but an athlete using steroids is no 
different than any of us drinking coffee. It gives them a boost. Steroids 
may even make the games more interesting.

The side effects include shrinking testicles, impotency, acne and 
anti-social aggression. I think people trying to be better athletes can 
decide if they will accept the consequences.

We let people deal with high blood pressure, stomach problems, restless 
sleep and drug addiction associated with coffee if they choose to.

It's the same argument you get when you compare alcohol and cigarettes to 
marijuana. Marijuana is an intoxicating herb that has some dangerous 
qualities. However, the risks associated with its use are the same or less 
than we allow for other substances.

In addition, I cannot think of a more degrading invasion of someone's 
privacy than drug testing. For what? A positive doesn't indicate current 
use or intoxication.

Researchers on a grant from the National Institute on Drug Abuse found that 
school drug testing had no impact on drug use.

Another study of high-tech industries found both pre-employment and random 
testing to be associated with lower levels of productivity.

In other words, for all the expense employers and schools go through to 
humiliate us, they decrease morale and productivity just to catch a few 
weekend stoners and pumped-up athletes.

Sounds like a bum deal to me.

David Burdick

Aberdeen
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