Drugs and Alcohol - Dirty Little Secrets

[Ari423]

I don't think the question is "Are drugs bad?" Everyone agrees drugs are bad and rich communities are just as susceptible to drug problems as poor communities.

The question here is "What should FIRST mentors do it they know their students are making bad decisions?" This is an important question to answer, because, for the most part, mentors are volunteers who may or may not have experience dealing with kids, yet kids look up to them and listen to their advice. Should mentors kick drug users off the team? Give them a strong talking? Report them to the school or police? Ignore it completely? I don't have the answer, but CD as a community probably does.

As a student who does not use drugs, I don't know what I would do if I were in the mentor's shoes, but I am interested in what CD's consensus is.

[Taylor]

For those teams that are affiliated with a school, I would recommend alerting the team's faculty advisor of the situation. That person can deal with the legal ramifications in a professional manner.

[Qbot2640]

Two things that seem too important not to point out are:
Even with a minor situation involving something prohibited, especially drugs, the publicity that can generate will likely spiral out of control. The complicated politics of society and organizations today pretty much guarantee that even the best team or organization is going to have someone willing to exploit bad news...and the sensationalism of today's media jumps right on the mud-slinging bandwagon. (1) The existence of the team could be threatened - a sponsoring organization might dissolve the team in response to appear like they are addressing the situation...or because their insurance carrier requires it, or it could so adversely affect contributions as to dry up all funding. And (2) the mentors of the team could face dire circumstances such as loss of employment and possibly be part of criminal investigations for not being more forthcoming with information.

It is very important to have an up-front, no exceptions policy about how you are going to handle these kinds of situations (and a policy that conforms to whatever requirements your organization has for the situation). Tell your students that you will help them in any way possible, but a mentor's responsibility to the team and the mentor's own liability may prevent them from being the kind of friend to share all secrets with.

[Andrew Schreiber]

Originally Posted by Ari423

I don't think the question is "Are drugs bad?" Everyone agrees drugs are bad and rich communities are just as susceptible to drug problems as poor communities.

I don't think we all agree drugs are bad[1]. I may be the oddball here but I think that if adults, aware of the risks of a substance, choose to partake in it that is those people's business.

However, I also believe in the rule of law, so I disagree with partaking in illegal substances. I do not, always, agree said substances should be illegal. But I encourage folks to follow the law and work within it to change it.

[1] In fact, many drugs are life saving and beneficial. (Notably those classified outside of Schedule I)

[connor.worley]

Responding to OP, I think what you should do is make sure they understand 3 things: inherent risks, potential consequences, and safe practices. It sounds like you are most concerned for their safety, and talking to them one on one as a mentor about how to go about their business in a safe way will do a lot of good. If you are especially concerned, I would go to the parents first and see if they can help resolve the problem before you go to the school. I think if you go to the school they'll come down hard and the student's chances for scholarships, etc. will be hurt.