The Oregon School Activities Association (OSAA) is an association put in place to regulate the behaviors and ethics of high school student-athletes in order to obtain a healthy competition free from doping and other unfair tactics of competition. As such, the association’s chemical health position has been under effect for many years, this was considered by the members outdated, they, therefore, pushed for reforms to match up to today’s changing landscape.
The new health policy for schools holds that misuse or abuse of chemical or substances/food supplements that allegedly enhance performance is a significant health problem that could harm the educational experience of students, having a negative impact on their learning achievement and character development. Furthermore, OSAA holds its opposition to the use of chemicals and substances to obtain a healthy sportsmanlike competitive ground (Oregon School Activities Association, 2015)
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For drug testing in schools to be legally safe, the association recommends that each of its member schools should have, and regularly update, policies regarding chemical/substance used in consultation with the healthcare professionals, in order to meet the school’s educational goals while at the same time maintaining the fundamental values of health and sportsmanship (US Department of Justice, 2018).
OSAA provides that for drug/substance abuse to be governed effectively, student-athletes and their families should consult with their primary health care providers before taking any drugs and supplements. Also, no school staff or team coach should dispense any medication or supplements unless specifically permitted to do so by the state rules and regulations (Board of Ed. of Independent School Dist. No. 92 of Pottawatomie City v. Earls, 2002).
One challenge OSAA is likely to face is the issue of its policies being more or less deferential to individual schools making their own policies. While it is important for schools to have their policies tailored to meet their unique setting, OSAA holds a general rule that all OSAA activities’ sites shall be illegal drug-free during events and each person in attendance shall refrain from the use of such substance (Hans YORK and Katherine York; and Sharon A. Schneider and Paul A. Schneider v. Wahkiakum School District).
References
Oregon School Activities Association. (2015). State Championships . Retrieved http://www.osaa.org/
US Department of Justice. (2018). The Coach's Playbook Against Drugs .
Board of Education of Independent School District No. 92 of Pottawatomie County et al. v. Earls et al., No. 01-332 (June 27, 2002).
Hans YORK and Katherine York; and Sharon A. Schneider and Paul A. Schneider v. Wahkiakum School District No. 200, No. 78946-1 (March 13, 2008).
