By Kate Foster and Casey McNamara

Many people are unaware of the punishments that follow if caught using alcohol or drugs while playing a sport. In Massachusetts, the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association makes the rules for high school student-athletes. Some punishments include suspension from their sports team and a possible rehab program. It is important here at WHS that student-athletes are aware of the rules and consequences.

When a student-athlete is caught for the first time consuming or in the presence of alcohol he/she will be suspended. The suspension includes the student-athlete sitting out for 25% of the games during their season. If they are not playing a sport at the time they are caught, their punishment will carry into their next season.

Student-athlete Alexa Nichols, a junior who plays both field hockey and lacrosse states, “the rules seem a little out-dated, if a kid is onsite and they are not consuming alcohol they are punished the same way as a kid who was drinking.”

If a student-athlete is caught using or in the presence of alcohol or drugs for the second time, he/she will be punished with more severe consequences. The student must join a chemical dependency program. Once they complete that treatment program, they can apply for a reinstatement into MIAA activities. If the student is reinstated into MIAA activities they will be suspended for 40% of the season. The student must be fully engaged during the program to be able to perform after their suspension is finished.

The drug use among student athletes has increased over the past couple of years. According to the MIAA, the usage of steroids increased from 5% up to 7% in high school student-athletes says The Science of Drug abuse and Addiction. The growing rate of drug abuse among student athletes is going to continue if there is no punishment. The MIAA is trying to punish student athletes with the illegal use of drugs and alcohol, so they will not repeat it.

The drug and alcohol abuse does not just affect student-athletes in high school, colleges also have the same problem. Colleges are beginning to control the use of drugs and alcohol by administering required drug testing. The required drug tests are not just used for sports, but they are used to help prepare the student-athletes for a required drug test when they are applying for a job.

The steps that are taken by the MIAA and the NCAA are to help protect and teach student-athletes for the future.