NCJ Number
120735
Journal
New England Law Review Volume: 23 Issue: 3-4 Dated: (Winter-Spring 1988-89) Pages: 645-650
Date Published
1989
Length
6 pages
Annotation
Drug testing is seen as a possible deterrence to drug abuse, but society does not have an accurate understanding of its medical nor its scientific bases.
Abstract
From January 1986 to January 1987, 2.5 percent of 1,046 NCAA athletes tested positive for drugs. In 1987 at a New England School of Law-sponsored sports law forum, a university athletic director, a high school coach, and the General Manager of the Boston Red Sox spoke in favor of drug testing; while another athletic director and the Director of the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association spoke against it. Drug testing was considered intrusive by some, while others agreed with pre-season and probable cause drug testing, but deplored the unilateral change in drug testing attempted by The National Football League. In another drug-testing controversy, on March 21, 1989, the US Supreme Court upheld testing programs of the Federal Railroad Administration and the United States Customs Service that were challenged by employees. The article concludes that society must know more about the medical and scientific basis of drug testing before a responsible decision can be made. 27 notes.