by Ronnie Ambrad

Created on: January 22, 2008   Last Updated: October 31, 2008

If an athlete were to be banned for life because of drug use during his career in professional sports, does it help him see the right perspective in life? Yes it would probably show him the consequences of his action but do we see any benefit from it? Does the athlete benefit from it?

It will only scare athletes from using drugs but does not prevent them from doing it. Sometimes scared people do stupid things and using drugs is one of them.

For the athlete slapped with life banishment in sports, it would probably push him to use more drugs because he looses his job and most probably sport is his only means of earning. And because he is banned for life, he had no chance of competing again. No reason for him to train, to get fit. What will he do? Use more drugs. Why? With no career and no job which means no income, it will send him back to his parents' basement and living there like a scared teenager again. Reflecting on his past it will drive him mad which will cause him to revert back to drugs.

Because I belive in second chance, and I believe one to two years suspension and taking back his earnings from wins he had during his/her drugs use would be enough to teach him/her a lesson. But not just suspend him/her, a support also for rehab would make him/her heal against drugs.

I also believe that it is better to focus on the positive sides of things. It would encourage other athletes to be "clean" if they see more benefits such as more sponsors, higher salary and more.

Give more focus also on the coach or manager of an athlete because they have the most influence in an athlete's life/career. A good coach/manager would prevent his/her athlete from using drugs as they "probably" know that it can ruin their athlete's career.

I haven't heard any coach or manager being suspended for drug use of his athlete. His athlete is his responsibility. It is his duty to make sure that his athlete is clean. Wouldn't professional sport be much better if it is the coach or manager that is suspended if an athlete is caught using drugs? We can then look for a better coach/manager to look after our athlete. The coaches/managers who can or will prevent the athletes from doing drugs, the ones who can make sports clean.

Learn more about this author, Ronnie Ambrad.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.