High school, high stakes drug testing
Drug testing at the high school level in Jamaica would be akin to an embarrassed parent strip-searching a decent, adolescent girl because her adult sister got arrested for doing night duty at ‘Back road’ in Portmore.
Harassing and demeaning the young girl will have no effect on how her bigger sister reacts to the charge whether now or in the future.
Calls for testing in high schools are simply a knee-jerk reaction to the raft of positives being returned by our senior athletes. Why is there a need at this time? Since the seniors are already being tested and the results are far from good, “we” have to do more. Dig deeper! “We” have to prove to the world that we are doing a lot. Hence the high schoolers. Fact is, our most talented high school athletes have proven that they are as clean as a whistle for many years. Not one has tested positive at the international level; Carifta Games, CAC juniors, Pan Am Juniors, World Youth and World Juniors. These are the elite of the thousands who pass through the system. Testing the others who simply “attend” champs would be a waste of resources anyway.
If it is not broken, why fix it? Champs have proven to be Jamaica’s happy hunting ground for more than a century. It determines who we are in the sport of track and field. As everyone now understands, the world of anti-doping is an onerous and expansive scheme. Over 1,000 substances with long, scientific names are ready to pounce. It is very easy for an innocent, educated, experienced adult to test positive. Therefore, God bless a simple, caring parent or coach.
Slippery slope
Many everyday medications bought over the counter are illegal in sport. Flu, sinus, asthma and cold medications, among others, are a “no-no” for the most part. It is not unreasonable to think that a few of these athletes will get these complications just before or during Champs. A few “sick” positives because of medications and the integrity of the event is forever compromised. All the records, big performers and performances, now and in the future would be under the microscope. Wouldn’t Victor Conte like that!
A scientist at a leading local university who studied chemistry at a high level, recently related the story of a relative who swam for Jamaica for a few years. She said she only found out recently that many of the medications and other stuff that she gave her daughter during that time were illegal. She said her daughter could have tested positive. She also said that others who were equally qualified made similar innocent mistakes that could have embarrassed their children and the country. Enough said.
USA and England
The argument about deterrence in Jamaica is light, since our best juniors have never tested positive within the school system. (One recently tested positive outside of the school system). In the USA and England, there are deterrent, random tests for steroids and recreational drugs in some school districts. These controversial tests are specifically designed to target and deter kids from experimenting with hard drugs and alcohol. Tests done in extra-curricular activities and are mostly done in the “power” sports such as American football, baseball, ice hockey etc. Interestingly, rarely are there tests in track and field since it is not considered a problematic, steroid- infested sport. Those who test positive are then put into rehabilitation and therapy if necessary. Interestingly, these tests are unlike the intrusive and embarrassing JADCO/WADA level done in Jamaica and the names are kept private. The tests by JADCO/WADA involve stripping from the waist down while an anti-doping officer watches directly as the urine exits the vagina or penis. Not an exercise for the faint-hearted.
Studies conducted by the Drug-Free Projects Coalition, Inc, show drug-testing programmes are administered in approximately 21 per cent of all school districts in the United States. It is forecast that the number of school districts with a drug-testing programme will increase about one per cent every year. The programmes are implemented to bring about positive change and deter students from deciding to use marijuana, alcohol and other drugs. They do not identify and punish students who make poor decisions. Would that be the case at our ultra-competitive Champs? Not likely.
Cost
Some say we should test class one athletes only. In that case, classes two, three and four are in the clear to do whatever they like. Where’s the deterrent there?
The cost per test is astronomical. Testing a minimum 10 girls and 10 boys would be US$14,000. Is it worth it? Are they going to test schoolboy football, lawn tennis, badminton and swimming etc? Those sports have never given a positive… so…they qualify for testing too. Don’t they? What about deterrence for those kids?
Education
The Ministry of Education coupled with the Ministry of Sports should work to ensure that as much information as possible regarding anti-doping is included in the Physical Education syllabus from grade seven to the CXC level. Education is the way to go at this time, nothing drastic.
If we were having a drug problem in our high schools like they do, I would be the first to support the drug testing initiative. But we don’t… so leave the kids alone.