Sunday, February 19, 2012

TCU Drug Bust Sign of Increased Pot Use?


TCU Drug Bust sign of increased drug use? Interesting article...
http://sports.yahoo.com/top/news?slug=ap-collegeathletes-pot

23 comments:

  1. I think it is a good idea to do drug testing among athletes due to the fact that some drugs could be known to enhance your performance. Although I think people will do what they want there needs to be some kind of consequence for their actions. I don't necessarily think it is a big deal because like the article said pot has been accepted into society so usually we just blow it off. On the same hand though those who work hard and are drug free shouldn't have to suffer for teammates decisions because we all know a team is "one for all and all for one." Overall I think people should become more aware of what they are doing and should focus on how it could affect their lives.

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  2. I am against all illegal drug use, including “weed”, which means I do not feel bad for those who got caught selling and using. I also honestly agree with the statement found in the article, which stated “I hope they don’t see this event at TCU as an isolated incident. It’s not.” I feel that this isn’t an isolated event; TCU is not the only school with students who do drugs. However, this should not be an excuse for anyone to justify what happened. Also, the numbers are going up on the use, but does this necessarily mean that actual drug use is rising? Students might just be more open about this drug use compared to before. However, the research from athletes who tested positive is valid information. 1.6% to 4.3% is a significant increase from one school year. The real question is why there is an increase, and what factors lead to the increase drug use. Students will make decisions for themselves, and all society can hope for is these decisions are the best. I believe random drug tests for athletes are a good idea. Drugs can ruin a person’s life, and ruin the chances for having a stable career and income. People may not see this, but even smoking “weed,” can lead them done a path they are not ready for. For some people “weed” is a gateway drug. Also, I agree with the comment above that many people in society blow off the use of “pot” like It is not a big deal. I believe all illegal drug use is a problem.

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  3. I believe that crystal blanche both valid opinions on the illegal drug usage at TCU.I have been a member of a football team or we was a BIG problem. I do not believe that a survey of how many athletes do marijuana is correct. I believe that is a lot higher and that the numbers only grew because people are being more open with it and accepting the ideal of people doing weed.of the week, maybe growing due to the fact of people in rap singing about it. Major major athletes doing it. So if we would like to cut down on the weed usage in schools and other places, we need influential people to speak out against the usage. It is a giant problem that needs to be dealt with or we might as will just legalize it.because if one or the other don't happen the problem will just increase in size before it gets too big or anyone to handle.if it's not there already. And as Crystal said before weed is a gateway drug that will lead to bigger and more harmful drugs.

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  4. I agree with the two statements above I do not condone anybody who is involved with drugs. In my opinion drugs, laws and punishment should be more severe. Of course, wherever you go including colleges people will do drugs. However since the drug bust happened TCU we have a higher view on the college. In addition, college athletes who use drugs and are caught tend to be treated differently than other people who are caught using drugs. This includes colleges and other organizations. In the article school, officials say that the athletes will not get special consideration. Of course, we all well know that they say that it will probably not be the case. In my opinion, these students should be expelled and not allowed to return to that particular school. Also that the drug possession charge remains on permanent record. ALs I believe that schools should have more drugs test this would mean faculty and students. In the case of TCU, the athletes should be tested ever two weeks.

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    1. To me smoking weed is just not as bad as the rest of the "LEGAL" drugs that you can take it's especially not any worse than any of that stuff, it has some of the same effects on a person that drinking alcohol does from what I've heard. I don't use drugs and never have but I tend to side with a lot of people who use marijuana because from what I hear it has less negative effect than the other drugs, so why not just make it legal. To me it doesn't matter if you do the drugs, it's how you do them, can you control yourself are you going to over indulge. Why not just put restrictions on this crap like everything else and just call it a day. Hell create some new jobs for the some of these people out here open up a new market or something I don't know. But to keep marijuana illegal like it's cocaine or something is absolutely 100% laughable, weed is no where near the drug coke is so at the very least it should be held at the same level as alcohol, something that people of the right age can do having a good time but nothing that you should do in excess. But hey that's just me.

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  6. I'm going to have to disagree with Kristi^^^^ "it's better to smoke pot than to drink, drive, and kill...”?? Seriously, smoking pot has the same effect as drinking, it triggers the mind maybe to not the same level as drinking but it influences you to be of harm to yourself as well others under the influence. Smoking too much can also make you see, think, and have memory loss to not know what you are doing under the influence. As for the 4th amendment rights, I agree partially because when these students and athletes choose and agree to attend a school, they are agreeing to the rules and regulations of this school, just like a job. If there is or isn’t a reason for a search the rules tell you, if for ANY REASON or THERE WILL BE RANDOM drug screenings performed then they agree to give up that partial right of theirs. If they don’t agree to perform at that time, state your reason being, otherwise, do according to the rules and regulations that you knew and agreed to abide by. The numbers might be less than what we know them to be but that's statistics. I think regular random drug screening should be enforced especially for athletes. Police off duty know that if they are in a room of ganja smokers, second hand smoking will put them at risk if they were to be randomly tested, so the same should be in affect for students, if you know that's not your place of nature for your own benefit, leave. It’s also part of helping them to succeed in their future. Like Herren stated, we can't babysit but we can lay down the rules and make sure they are followed, if not, go home and give someone else that really wants or earns an opportunity the chance to be in the light.

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  7. I HAVE TO SAY I TOTALLY AGREE WITH NYTE, smoking pot is very dangerous and is no better than drinking and driving or KILLING. really? yea marijuana is not seen as "a big deal" in our society, but come on people have yall taken a minute to look at the type of society we live in? Its nothing like what it use to be 20 years ago. I think that YES!! they should drug test EVERY athlete. If you want to play then you must go by school rules and regulations and if that bothers you then I dont see why the school would want you in the first place.

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  8. The drug bust at TCU does not come as a surprise. It is not an isolated incident. As the NCAA’s report distinguished, marijuana is the second most frequent substance abused by college students, with the first being alcohol abuse obviously. Likewise, marijuana is the most widely used illegal drug in the United States. Almost half of America's full-time college students abuse drugs or drink alcohol on binges at least once a month. Substance abuse is an increasingly growing problem on college campuses. It is considered an indicator of student’s disengagement from academic life and a depiction of social existence on campus.

    I agree that the students who are involved in drugs are throwing away their education. Marijuana affects one’s memory, concentration, attention, coordination, sensory, judgment and perception. As a consequence, marijuana is mind-altering. It is surprising that athletes use marijuana, as it is suppose to decrease their performance of timing, movement, and coordination.

    Drug busts often get young adults caught into the Criminal Justice System which may turn them into lifelong criminals. As adults, offenders will not get away with this type of an offense as effortlessly as a juvenile would. Adults who use marijuana may end up with criminal records and this can hurt their chances of potential jobs or college opportunities in the future. More jobs are starting to drug test applicants, so I am not surprised to see that the National Center for Drug Free Sport is administering drug tests to college students as well.

    Hirschi’s Social Bonding Theory states that delinquent acts occur when individual’s bond with society is weak or broken. The weaker a person’s bond of attachment, commitment, involvement, and belief are, the more likely the individual will violate the law. Attachment to parents or parental supervision is thought to control delinquency and maintain conformity. Commitment displays an individual’s investment in occupational or educational endeavors; the more commitment a person has invested the less the risk is of non-conformity. Involvement in activities such as studying or spending time with family may restrain delinquent behavior because a person may be too busy or preoccupied in performing pursuits of non-conformity. Belief deals with the moral validity of laws, the less a person believes the law should be obeyed, the more likely the person will violate laws. It is possible then, that the college students who choose to use marijuana may not have had a strong attachment to their parents or peers, may not have had a strong commitment to a job or education, may not have been occupied enough, thus causing them to be “bored,” and may not believe the moral validity of this law while maintaining a belief that marijuana should be legalized instead.

    In any case, it is likely that the TCU students momentarily got off track and neutralized this recreational drug using a denial of injury in justifying that no one else was harmed by their behavior; however, they ultimately chose the wrong path for themselves and will feel the ramifications for it long after they have been caught.

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  9. I agree with the author of this story that we shouln't really be surprised by the TCU drug bust, nor am I surprised by just about anything anymore. I have no problem with anyone smoking marijuana on their own time, and what these young men do off the field will probably not affect their performance on the field. All this money spent on drug testing--when the only test needed is, "Can you get the job done?" If I achieve the highest academic honors of this university, should they be taken away simply because I smoke pot? (Which, by the way, I don't.) That said, marijuana is still illegal and even though it is socially acceptable among athletes and college students, one has to look at the consequences and detriments of using an illicit drug. Regardless of how I feel about smoking weed, athletes and students must be aware that job opportunities and careers may be greatly influenced when the crime is revealed. I'm sure these college athletes just wanted to make some easy bucks, but it sure can bite you on the butt.

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  11. The drug bust at TCU was not surprising to me at all. I was surprised that there were not more arrests. Drugs are everywhere!! Not just at TCU, but every college campus in every state all across the United States. The difference is that TCU got caught. I believe there should be more extensive drug testing. Pot is just as bad as drinking! Your judgment and response time IS affected by the use of marijuana, and I believe that that the potential of killing someone while driving under the influence is the same as driving while intoxicated!! This is why there are laws in place! I don't believe they drug test enough! There are always ways around a drug test so the only way to avoid this is to test completely at random and often! The use of marijuana among the youth of today is out of control.

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  12. I like most of you do not find the drug bust surprising at all I actually know a few of the individuals involved in this and I mean honestly for this to be made as big of a deal is sort of dumb to me, this sort of thing happens at almost every major school in the country, this is relatively small to some of the things I know about schools in Miami and Atlanta this is a joke compared to that. But I'm a little different, someone above me mentioned that as long as you're getting the job done what does it matter and I'd have to sort of agree. If these students are getting in class and getting their work done who cares but at the same time we have laws and as long as the law is the way that it is you have to follow the rules and when you don't there are consequences so I don't feel sorry for any these guys because you know the risks that you're taking when you get involved in doing/selling drugs especially if its illegal.

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  13. Doing drug test to athletes is a good idea because even though this happen students will still do this drugs no matter what. This is so stupid because they know the consequences that this drings ones you get cot that you were doing illegal drugs and they still do it just because they are pot heads, or crak heads. Don't blame the students maybe the parents didn't show them or talk to them about doing drugs or they just don't care and they do it too, and the consequenses of that is this .

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  14. I think drug testing athletes is a great idea at small schools and especially the bigger schools because everyone knows the bigger and more expensive schools is where you're going to find the people or kids with that big money to shell out. A huge problem with this situation is that for most of these athletes and students it's their first time being away from home and their parents, so experimentation is going to happen. But I feel when you choose to be an athlete that comes with great responsibility, and you have the responsibility to set a good example and to stand out from the rest and be a great romodel. Drug testing is just a great way of weeding out the few who can't hold that responsibility and it gives those who earn it a chance to keep doing what they chose and love to do.

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  15. i think Marijuana is not the problem in schools and does not effect you like the united states gov makes it out to be. the problem lies in other forms of drugs like pills made by the goverment and beer which is sold by the goverment. Drugs are a problem but not Marijuana ,the problem lies with coachs and parnents they are around the players more then anybody and should stop it befor it starts and also drug testind all or none is my view no radom stuff.Also

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  16. I don't think the stats in this article necessarily prove the point the author is trying to make. I like the author, am not surprised that there was a drug bust on a college campus, but I don't agree with the author that the recent drug bust at TCU is all part of this "increasing pot problem" on campuses. So the number of athletes that admit to smoking pot went up a percentage point, is that really a big difference? I don't see a one percent increase of students admitting their indiscretions as sound evidence that there's an increasing drug problem. Similarly I wouldn't find ground for celebration in a one percent decrease in that number either, it is just not substantial enough of a difference. This small increase could be caused by any number of things. it could be simply that there are more student athletes from one year to another, or even the fact that some states have let up on their marijuana laws. I mean, if weed became legal to smoke in your state, it would seem that you would be more willing to divulge the information that you do or have smoked. One thing i found odd as well is that this article is all focused on the pot. The TCU drug bust involved more drugs than pot that are easily considered more dangerous. I don't think college students, or athletes should be selling drugs. And, for that matter, i would agree with the notion that drugs can negatively affect athletes' performance, however i also generally feel that whatever one does on their own time is their business as long as it doesn't infringe upon my freedoms and liberties. Bottom line, these guys (especially the players) were idiots, or at least pulled one monumental bonehead move. They basically gave up their hundred thousand dollar education and most likely the thing they love most in being able to play football all for some reefer they could've easily have bought and smoked after graduation or after their playing days with less to lose.

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  17. I think the random drug testing is a great idea, if the administrator follow through with the results and penalize the ones that do get caught. I am not sure if I misread or not but I saw how many people tested positive, but was there any consequences made to those that got caught? Yes it sucks for those that got caught, but this happens on many college campuses, TCU is just one of the schools that got caught. As an athlete, knowing that random drug testings are apart of the athletic department, it worries me and scares me that I can potentially be the one to be tested, therefore I am afraid to do any drug.

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  18. If colleges/universities are going to spend all that money on scholarships for a winning athelete, they need to up the ante and provide monthly drug screenings to deter their prized athletes from drug use.

    More than likely, if an athelete is picked up on a scholarship ride, they will be in draft picks for the NFL.

    Of course marijuana use is on the rise! Look how many states have it legalized for medicinal purposes? My company has stopped drug screening because of that reason alone. Crazy? Yes, I think so. I'd like to know if anyone is using coke or heroin.

    Until then....PARTY AT TCU! Oh wait...not anymore.

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  19. I don’t believe that there is an increase in the amount of students smoking, but instead that it is one the main things that school authorities and authorities in general are looking for so there are finding out more information. The reason I think this is because marijuana has been around for so long that it’s no surprise that students would be involved with that. There has also never been a case where the cause of death has been because of marijuana. And so it doesn’t even compare to the deaths related to alcohol. It is disappointing that students that have such great opportunities would throw it away for drugs, but like in the case of the football players, they bring in a lot of money for the school and yes of course they get a scholarship but for some it may just not be enough sometimes so they have to resort to other methods of having an income to be able to have the basic necessities.

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  20. I know I am a CJ Major, but marijuana needs to be decriminalized in small amounts. I believe we are headed in that direction. At most, people should be sentenced to rehab or community service. Larger amounts and other drugs are a different story however. I won’t get into a drug trade, we all know the facts. When we see parents drinking heavily, and you see all the deaths associated with alcohol, it’s hard to get on a kid for experimenting with a joint. Our laws concerning Pot need to be reexamined. Together, I believe we can come to a better outcome.

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  21. Everyone says college is a time for experimenting. I’m not condoning their actions, because as a student, you choose your college institution and you must also choose to abide by their rules. Even when attending a college as prestigious as Texas Christian University, you have a certain image you must uphold. Especially being an athlete at the college that should boost you up enough to give you some conscience to know where you should draw the line and what you should allow yourself and your fellow teammates to do. I don’t know what it is that makes these young athletes believe that they will never get caught doing illegal acts but when you sign onto a major college, you are always in the spotlight. Maybe the drugs lead them to believe that. I don’t believe that a single drug bust can confirm an increase in pot use, but it does show that their security is cracking down.

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  22. As someone that has worked to prevent to trafficking of real drugs in to this country. I think this is total bullshit As far as drug testing goes, that's just nothing more than invasion of personal privacy. What someone does behind closed door is their business not any schools, universities or governments. I wonder how many real criminals were able to commit crimes while the police were wasting tax payer money to catch these stupid kids.

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