No one will deny that alcohol and drugs are rampant at colleges and universities across the country. Is it naïve to believe that college athletes are immune to the virulent talons of alcohol and drugs? Of course it is.
The recent case of LSU Tiger cornerback Tyrann Mathieu is a perfect example. This is a kid who was one of the top 5 players in the entire country. He was busted twice for substance abuse issues and has been cut from the team and is no longer in school.
Believe me when I say this – there are thousands more like him out there. You know this, I know this and so does the NCAA, the governing body of intercollegiate athletics.
But what are they doing about it? Of course they have various after-the-fact support networks and provide cursory warnings about the consequences of drug use, but little is being done with respect to educating and monitoring them before drugs and alcohol become an issue.
The NCAA needs to make drug classes compulsory. They need to make sure each year that each athlete is educated and tested. They need to establish a mentoring program whereby older athletes and coaches can make sure our athletes make the smart decision to say no to drugs.
Many of these athletes have steered clear of drugs and alcohol prior to getting the scholarship to college. Now that the tough work is done and they have their reward, they let their guards down. They experiment and they become addicted.
Good mentoring programs along with 15 hour/session drug classes will keep our athletes clean and sober and therefore much healthier.