| Here is from a recent interview with the head of High | | | | and athletes in the ultra competitive world of high |
| School sports in Illinois. Marty Hickman's thoughts about | | | | school sports. Yet, let's be realistic about the criteria for |
| random drug testing are pretty clear and it is going to | | | | testing and the safeguards regarding the testing |
| be interesting to view the effects these states have | | | | process that must be in place. You have high school |
| on students and athletic scholarships. He says, "New | | | | athletes competing for state titles and athletic |
| Jersey, Texas and Florida currently have random drug | | | | scholarships that can't afford to be caught. Not to |
| testing and California is near acquiring it as well. Not to | | | | mention coaches, teachers and athletic directors that |
| mention that Illinois is also very close. We feel it is a | | | | can't face that embarrassment. Schools both public |
| topic that needs to be addressed this year and we | | | | and private are already flagrantly recruiting the top |
| believe that the IHSA board is in agreement. Personally, | | | | athletes to pad their record and sports scholarship |
| I feel it is a great thing to get involved with our kids as | | | | stats. |
| it is really a community health topic. Current research | | | | So, what is a little more slight of hand to curb the drug |
| shows that six percent of children have been involved | | | | policy going to matter.It should be clear that the |
| with drugs and there are more benefits than negatives | | | | guidelines are set just to test for athletic performance |
| in testing." | | | | drugs. To randomly test athletes for conventional party |
| Sounds like more states are going to follow the lead of | | | | drugs would eliminate most every water polo player |
| the big three, Calif, Texas and Florida. It seems as | | | | around. |
| though it is a fair assessment to randomly test schools | | | | |
