Drugs and Alcohol - Dirty Little Secrets

[Sean Raia]

I don't think my opinion strays too far from many engineer's views on the issue, but i'll voice it anyway.

If it's not occurring during FRC related junctions I say that it's not an immediate concern of the team.

THAT SAID, if a student or mentor appears to be negatively suffering at the hand of these chemicals it wouldn't hurt for some individuals to talk to them about it and show concern\offer aid. Sometimes all it takes to cure these addictions is the reminder that one is wanted and loved.

It should definitely not be occurring at competition/build season, but if you think about it much of the medication that big pharma shovels into todays youth isn't far off from a lot of the recreational drugs these students could be (and sometimes are) taking. A handful of students on teams in FRC are on prescribed pharmaceutical amphetamine, and yes it does put them at an advantage over those students not on them. Just something to chew on.

If it's just hearsay, I would let it handle itself until it becomes a blatant issue. Self control is best learned through trial and error.

Either way, US drug policy needs a massive overhaul and I think we're starting to see that. The best cure for addiction and reckless behavior is love and kindness, not ham-fisted rules and lectures.

\End hippy-activist rant.