Is the NFL drug policy too soft?

[cml750]

Would a zero tolerance policy (one strike and your out) keep NFL players from using drugs? The latest Gregory failed test got me thinking NFL players get an awful lot of chances. Many businesses around the country have such a policy. If I failed a drug test at my job I will be immediately fired. While I am not into illegal drugs it has kept me from taking any narcotic cough medicine or pain medication prescribed to my wife or kids that is left in our medicine cabinet for a cough, hurt back, etc.... Would this deter NFL players if they didn't get umpteen chances before they are permanently banned from the league??

 

[fishspill]

Or is it too hard? Maybe take pot off the list.

 

[Beats_By_Zeke]

Or is it too hard? Maybe take pot off the list.

Right?! Im against drugs as much as the next person but pot in general is such a grey area.

 

[cowboyblue22]

if the company you work for has a list of banned substances then it is up to an adult to not use them,when you know what the consequences will be. if you are caught using them.

 

[cml750]

At the current time pot is against the rules. There is no gray area in regards to pot in the NFL. Now in regards to whether it should be legalized in the country that is another issue entirely and one I do not want to debate. I am sure everyone has an opinion on that but for the sake of my original question, pot is currently against the rules in the NFL just as it is in many, probably most, companies in this country. Many of those companies have a zero tolerance, one strike and your out, policy. If the NFL adopted such a policy would it deter usage?

 

[JoeKing]

yes

 

[Eddie]

Marijuana is legal in many states. Therefore, marijuana needs to be legal for those NFL teams.

 

[gmoney112]

Do you like watching the NFL?

Because if you institute a one strike policy, it's not going to be the same product on the field.

And the NFL isn't a normal job. It's more like a trust than a normal employer, and it's in the entertainment industry. Should someone be banned from their collective profession because they failed a drug test? It might make sense in the case of liability and malpractice, but this isn't such a career.

Really, the only reason drug testing is enforced in this instance is for PR purposes for the league, and maybe to a slight extent throwing some hesitation into some guys that might get tempted to adopt a partying lifestyle now that they're getting paid.

There are plenty of professions that don't drug test regularly. In fact, most non corporate jobs just see it as an added expense.

 

[Swanny]

Or is it too hard? Maybe take pot off the list.

Take pot off the list and actually do real testing for HGH

 

[Craig]

Marijuana is legal in many states. Therefore, marijuana needs to be legal for those NFL teams.

If it were illegal in all states, it would still be stupid for it to have anything to do with NFL rules.

 

[Nova]

If it were illegal in all states, it would still be stupid for it to have anything to do with NFL rules.

About what I was going to say. I don't personally partake, never have really... but I honestly couldn't care less if someone smokes weed.

The problem is, if Dan Bailey gets in trouble for marijuana use in a state where it's not legal, it looks really bad for the NFL because it's technically another crime that a player has committed.

And that's it. If it were legal everywhere, then it would never be reported, and the NFL wouldn't care.

 

[Manwiththeplan]

In the majority of states, it's an illegal substance and imo it should be tested for. I don't think the NFL is too soft, a one strike policy would lead to the CFL surpassing the NFL is the football league in the world, so it's not in their best interest either.

 

[Howboutdemcowboys31]

About what I was going to say. I don't personally partake, never have really... but I honestly couldn't care less if someone smokes weed.

The problem is, if Dan Bailey gets in trouble for marijuana use in a state where it's not legal, it looks really bad for the NFL because it's technically another crime that a player has committed.

And that's it. If it were legal everywhere, then it would never be reported, and the NFL wouldn't care.

Just funny that you used Dan Bailey as an example

 

[Manwiththeplan]

Just funny that you used Dan Bailey as an example

I know, if I were going to assume anyone not named Gregory as an example, hands down it would be Cole Beasley.

 

[Shinaoi]

Absolutly not. If anything they should do away with recreational testing and go heavier on performance enhancing testing. I'm not saying I feel sorry for someone who gets suspensed like Gregory or Gordon have, but more a logical standpoint, it's just over kill.

 

[ActualCowboysFan]

I know, if I were going to assume anyone not named Gregory as an example, hands down it would be every player in the league.

FTFY

 

[Shinaoi]

I think it's a better option for players than taking opoid painkillers legally. Stuff like hydrocoden(spelling?) are much worse substances.

 

[agorr101]

Why aren't NFL and team execs randomly tested for drugs? Shouldn't they be subject to the same standards as players.

 

[Manwiththeplan]

FTFY

I wouldn't use Witten as an example

 

[Aven8]

Funny, one of the sports top figures got hooked on pain meds, Favre. The team gave those to him. Prescription drugs are now the hottest, and most abused things on the market. Yet, team docs still give them out like candy.

There has to be way they can make smoking pot ok, or less punishment. Grow up NFL, it's the new millennium already!