All-Star Substance Free Programs

[kristenthegreat]

are there any youth sport organizations that do drug test? i don't know of any but if there are some, i'd like to see how the policies work.

level 5 kids aren't the only ones using drugs, i am sure, but having a randomized pull of registered athletes at worlds for drug testing would be one way to get the point across. especially with all the tomfoolery going on at all-star resorts. test them when they check in and results back by prelims/semis/finals to take action. i know the USASF's to do list is a mile long, but i would 300% support this type of change. what other sports don't have drug testing at their elite levels and world championships?

AAU Powerlifting > Resources > Substance Abuse - AAU Powerlifting does, apparently. Actually, on further research, most of the 'TEAM USA' weightlifting groups drug test randomly. It mostly seems to be a thing for international competitors (IOC/USOC/etc).

Side note: AAU expected to announce mandatory background checks Tuesday – USATODAY.com AAU provides mandatory background checks for all adult positions for all sports. Nobody is to be left alone with anyone.

 

[ScottyB]

While I agree with you...really what is then happening is a lot of finger pointing. USASF points to coaches and parents. Coaches point to parents and USASF, and then parents point to coaches and peers...and nothing changes. It is going to take a TEAM effort ...combined forces...to put an end to the problem of drug use/substance abuse in the cheer world. USASF as the "powers that be" is the most logical to take that first step...but they are worthless unless they do it as a team effort with parents and coaches (rather than as some command from the pulpit full top uniform type edict).

The USASF's job as the cheer governing body is to create an environment of fair play and organized competition for all star cheerleading. If they are worried about PED's then sure they could test to show the outside world that cheer athletes are clean and all train fair. But it is 100% not their job to worry about kids drinking and using drugs. At worlds, then yes it is their responsibility because they are coordinating the event, outside of that it is not their job or responsibility.

 

[Dixie]

I think anyone getting funds to attend their school should be up for random testing. If you're on scholarship, wouldn't the source of the funds want them to go to the best performing student? To me, that's not the one performing while in an altered state. I know my son has been tested while playing hockey for the state of Texas and while at college (but he works with minors there).


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[CoachTamara]

Here is the harsh reality-if many of these colleges did mandatory drug testing for their athletes, they wouldn't have enough left to have a program anymore. And while we are at it, I think coaches should be included in the testing.

 

[MissCongeniality]

The USASF's job as the cheer governing body is to create an environment of fair play and organized competition for all star cheerleading. If they are worried about PED's then sure they could test to show the outside world that cheer athletes are clean and all train fair. But it is 100% not their job to worry about kids drinking and using drugs. At worlds, then yes it is their responsibility because they are coordinating the event, outside of that it is not their job or responsibility.

And I think Worlds is exactly the place to start! Randomly drug test one or two randomly chosen athletes from every full paid/partial paid team on Friday. Anyone pops positive ... Team is disqualified or assessed a huge point penalty. Trust me... Coaches, teammates and parents would then get involved. Of course drug testing won't do anything with the athletes who think it's ok to drink the night before competing (yep, it's happening).

 

[ScottyB]

And I think Worlds is exactly the place to start! Randomly drug test one or two randomly chosen athletes from every full paid/partial paid team on Friday. Anyone pops positive ... Team is disqualified or assessed a huge point penalty. Trust me... Coaches, teammates and parents would then get involved. Of course drug testing won't do anything with the athletes who think it's ok to drink the night before competing (yep, it's happening).

So at worlds the USASF holds random PED tests on athletes? That's great and all but you are forgetting the point that it isn't the USASF's job to monitor the personal lives of the athletes they serve via competition.

 

[cheerKT]

So at worlds the USASF holds random PED tests on athletes? That's great and all but you are forgetting the point that it isn't the USASF's job to monitor the personal lives of the athletes they serve via competition.

I don't disagree with you. I'm not sure if that would be the best way to handle it. But if it's not the responsibility of the governing body, why does the NCAA require and regulate drug tests of their student athletes?

 

[cheernerd5678]

So at worlds the USASF holds random PED tests on athletes? That's great and all but you are forgetting the point that it isn't the USASF's job to monitor the personal lives of the athletes they serve via competition.

It's their job to "create an environment of fair play," isn't using PEDs not playing fair? NCAA does it and they're a governing body.

 

[ScottyB]

It's their job to "create an environment of fair play," isn't using PEDs not playing fair? NCAA does it and they're a governing body.

PED's are performance enhancement drugs so that is correct. I am saying it is not the job of the USASF to test for recreational/hardcore drugs.

 

[ScottyB]

I don't disagree with you. I'm not sure if that would be the best way to handle it. But if it's not the responsibility of the governing body, why does the NCAA require and regulate drug tests of their student athletes?

I think because they are so heavily involved with the school side of athletics that they aren't able to not be involved.

 

[MissCongeniality]

So at worlds the USASF holds random PED tests on athletes? That's great and all but you are forgetting the point that it isn't the USASF's job to monitor the personal lives of the athletes they serve via competition.

But isn't it their job to promote safety? Because let me tell you if an athlete under the influence breaks his/her neck or that of another due to his/her condition...then that is a huge safety issue!

ETA: as I said in a previous post, I honestly don't think anything will be done to address this issue until a tragic, front-page incident occurs that impacts the "powers that be" (and by that I mean anyone from coaches, owners, EPs and USASF...in the pocketbook!)

 

[GreenStormLucy]

I'm mostly interested if they found out if this girl was alone when she did or if therevwas someone with her.

Don't know how intense this is in US, but at clubs over here we have a problem with guys buying girls drinks and putting different kind of drugs in it without the girl noticing. He will then take her home and everyone can think about the rest of the story.


It's nothing "new" that boys try to influence the mood of a girl with alcohol. But giving someone drugs without them knowing is always a big risk, especially if the person is taking medication, has an allergic reaction, some disease and so on.

Just saying that she might have died by an overdose, but there are so many possibilities of how it happened.


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[ScottyB]

But isn't it their job to promote safety? Because let me tell you if an athlete under the influence breaks his/her neck or that of another due to his/her condition...then that is a huge safety issue!

ETA: as I said in a previous post, I honestly don't think anything will be done to address this issue until a tragic, front-page incident occurs that impacts the "powers that be" (and by that I mean anyone from coaches, owners, EPs and USASF...in the pocketbook!)

Yes, they have safety in mind. But the responsibility to watch for under the influence athletes practicing or competing is not their job. That is up to the coaches, gym owners, parents, peers.

If a coach is unaware that an athlete is performing under the influence, that is on them, not the USASF. The coach is there for the athletes' growth and well being. Coaches and gyms must lead by example, make the rules, and enforce them.

At the most the USASF could enact at D.A.R.E. type program and policy to get gyms and athletes to commit to healthy, safe, and sober environments.

 

[Dixie]

Some official body has to be in charge if this is to happen, not just the local gym/coach.
It's so frustrating seeing programs (not just cheer) tell their clients they cannot use certain apps on their phone because it promotes bullying, then turn away when bullying is happening in their program.
Or implement a DARE program then have the coaches getting hammered in the bar at the competition.
Or blow off a kid talking about how high they are the day after a party and the coach explains it as they had been sucking helium out of balloons.

I realize college sports will most likely suffer (or at least change it's players) for a bit if drug testing were done and had consequences, but I think it's a necessary step. The environment will never change as long as the community feels 'everybody does it so it's never going to change'.


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[njallday]

there were 34 (found and treated, so probably many more) drug overdoses in New Jersey this weekend at one of those electric music festivals. almost all of the documented overdoses were children under the age of 18. i honestly think it's more of an issue in the senior age bracket than college. college most certainly has drugs present, but i have never seen it this rampant in the high school crowd. scary.

we always say nothing will happen until there is a tragedy, but is this girl's death not a tragedy? this was a high profile athlete at one of the best college programs in the country that received national media attention. is it only a relevant tragedy if she seized in the middle of a stunt sequence and dropped a stunt? when suzie's parents try to sue because a high kid dropped her and she got hurt, then will we care?