Student’s View of
Novi’s
New Athletic Policy
August, 2005
The debate about random
drug testing of athletes at Novi High School is over. For
the time being that is. But how will this new policy affect
students? Well, the jury is still out, but it seems as
though most students and student-athletes believe that the
new policy was a good compromise.
Simply put, the new drug
policy allows the Athletic Department to investigate and
punish student-athletes who are allegedly using illegal
substances. These investigations are to occur without a drug
test, a major victory for those who opposed the district’s
original plan.
That plan called for random drug tests of all
student-athletes, and participants in extra-curricular
activities applicable 365 days a year. The new, implemented
plan calls for strict punishment of those who the school's
Athletic Director (AD) Curt Ellis investigates and finds has
used or had in his/her possession illegal substances. A
first offense calls for an athlete to lose 15% of his season
and attending drug counseling courses.
While the deal was a
compromise, there are still those who think that the AD is
given too much power in this plan. That includes a number of
NHS students. To be blunt, a majority of students, if hard
pressed, will tell you that there is a substance abuse
problem in NHS.
But, a majority also wouldn’t approve of any sort of system
to combat this problem.
Personally, I think that their concerns about the AD’s power
are legitimate, but I do not think there has been a plan
presented that is better than the current system. Drug use
is a problem, the size of which can be debated, at Novi High
School, and this is a way that school administration thinks
will help combat the problem.
I do question the selection
of student athletes as the only group that will be subject
to these rules. One plan called for testing of all
participants in extra curricular activities, meaning that
even some non-athletes would be tested. But the new
compromise whittles the group subject to any sort of
ramifications for substance abuse to just student-athletes.
In my opinion, it seems that those in any extra curricular
activity would be less likely to be using illegal
substances, especially athletes that have much to lose from
the use of such drugs in terms of athletic performance. But
in the end, it seems that once again, the Novi Community
School District has gotten it right. Somehow, with much
maneuvering, they have created a system that accomplishes
their original goal (to make a penalty system for those who
are caught using illegal substances), and that meets the
majority of the demands from parents, athletes, and students
of Novi.
