Jeremy Jeffress Fails Another Drug Test

[CaliforniaRaisin]

http://blogs.jsonline.com/brewers/archive/2007/10/29/jeffress-fails-another-drug-test.aspx

 

Marijuana again.

[Outshined_One]

I was really hoping the Cubs would draft him back in the day.

 

Whoops.

[TruffleShuffle]

i understand that it's against the rules, so he shouldn't be getting high - but marijuana is really not a "problem"

[illiniguy]

i understand that it's against the rules, so he shouldn't be getting high - but marijuana is really not a "problem"

If he gets kicked out of baseball and loses millions of dollars in the future because of it, I would say it is a "problem".

[badnews]

There's something wrong with the circular logic that marijuana is illegal because it's bad for you because it ruins lives, ruins lives by getting people in trouble with the law.

 

But anyway, a Brewer prospect in trouble again. HAW HAW

[Electron Blue]

There's something wrong with the circular logic that marijuana is illegal because it's bad for you because it ruins lives, ruins lives by getting people in trouble with the law.

 

But anyway, a Brewer prospect in trouble again. HAW HAW

 

That may be, but as I believe illiniguy is alluding to above, if Marijuana can't be given up in the face of the threat of losing millions (or even a regular job), it would seem to be a serious problem (for some at least).

[questionmarkgrace]

I would venture to say it is a problem for him if he cant stop. However, marijuana is much less dangerous than alcohol which is served on team planes and in the club house etc.

 

I can, however, see the brewers having a problem with Jeffress gaining wieght from late night taco bell runs or him forgetting his glove at home.

[Yanksfan1523]

Yeah. Stop smoking weed so you can take some of these greenies and play.

 

It isn't a problem until it affects your work. And him getting caught so often is a sign of trouble. While it is not the worst thing he could ne doing, it is in his contract. Similar to riding a motorcycle or playing pick-up basketball. Really not a big deal until you get caught and it voids your contract.

[TruffleShuffle]

i understand that it's against the rules, so he shouldn't be getting high - but marijuana is really not a "problem"

If he gets kicked out of baseball and loses millions of dollars in the future because of it, I would say it is a "problem".

 

way to completely miss the point. Given that it's in his contract, he should not have been getting high. But marijuana is not a performance-enhancing drug, nor is it a significantly-addictive drug, so I don't think MLB/MiLB should be testing for it.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

i understand that it's against the rules, so he shouldn't be getting high - but marijuana is really not a "problem"

If he gets kicked out of baseball and loses millions of dollars in the future because of it, I would say it is a "problem".

 

way to completely miss the point. Given that it's in his contract, he should not have been getting high. But marijuana is not a performance-enhancing drug, nor is it a significantly-addictive drug, so I don't think MLB/MiLB should be testing for it.

 

It's the same reason other employers do drug screening. Accounting firms aren't worried about PEDs, they're worried about their (potential) employees doing something illegal, whether it be marijuana or PCP. That brings up an entirely different argument, but there's definitely a reason for the testing.

[TruffleShuffle]

It's the same reason other employers do drug screening. Accounting firms aren't worried about PEDs, they're worried about their (potential) employees doing something illegal, whether it be marijuana or PCP. That brings up an entirely different argument, but there's definitely a reason for the testing.

 

right, but then why not prohibit players from drinking alcohol? After all, most people who drink alcohol in their 20s will get drunk, some will get behind the wheel and drive, or get in a fight, or fall and get hurt. Or just get fat.

 

If you're worried about your "investment" going south, there are probably 100 more important things than pot that you should look at.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

It's the same reason other employers do drug screening. Accounting firms aren't worried about PEDs, they're worried about their (potential) employees doing something illegal, whether it be marijuana or PCP. That brings up an entirely different argument, but there's definitely a reason for the testing.

 

right, but then why not prohibit players from drinking alcohol? After all, most people who drink alcohol in their 20s will get drunk, some will get behind the wheel and drive, or get in a fight, or fall and get hurt. Or just get fat.

 

They don't prohibit the players from smoking marijuana, the law does.

[imb]

This isn't an argument. At least it shouldn't be.

 

It's sort of hypocritical that alcohol is legal and weed isn't (and I say this as a guy that has never smoked), but the fact is that it's illegal. Teams test for weed because they don't want their players breaking the law.

 

Whether it should be against the law is a worthy debate, whether players should be tested for it while it's illegal isn't.

[Chocolate Milk]

This isn't an argument. At least it shouldn't be.

 

It's sort of hypocritical that alcohol is legal and weed isn't (and I say this as a guy that has never smoked), but the fact is that it's illegal. Teams test for weed because they don't want their players breaking the law.

 

Whether it should be against the law is a worthy debate, whether players should be tested for it while it's illegal isn't.

I agree with the above for the most part, but I think that it's a real shame to see someone run out of a league for something as innocuous as pot. Ricky Williams can't play in the NFL ever again, but Leonard Little is making millions.

 

Go figure.

[CubsInNC]

This isn't an argument. At least it shouldn't be.

 

It's sort of hypocritical that alcohol is legal and weed isn't (and I say this as a guy that has never smoked), but the fact is that it's illegal. Teams test for weed because they don't want their players breaking the law.

 

Whether it should be against the law is a worthy debate, whether players should be tested for it while it's illegal isn't.

I agree with the above for the most part, but I think that it's a real shame to see someone run out of a league for something as innocuous as pot. Ricky Williams can't play in the NFL ever again, but Leonard Little is making millions.

 

Go figure.

 

Drinking and driving is against the law, as is vehicular manslaughter, involuntary manslaughter, and murder. Leonard Little bought/famed/what have you his way out of more serious charges that he, and many, many others SHOULD face for their actions. The NFL and the local prosecutor both should have taken a tougher stand, and had that happened in 2005 or later, he likely would have been out of the NFL for at least a year, instead of the 8 games he got (tougher than Williams' first pot failure). Possibly looking at Vick-like indefinite suspension. Which, IMO, isn't out of line.

 

Williams was fined and suspended 4 games for his first NFL punished infraction with marijuana (his second failed test). He tested positive 2 (or 3 depending on source) times before retiring the first time. After unretiring the next year and serving his suspension, he failed a test/skipped a mandatory test, that offseason. His 4th failed test. Fourth failed test meant a 1 year suspension. He'd be 30 when he was available again, and one would hope he attempted to maintain his body and stamina. In May of this year, he failed again, while he was supposedly "clean." His 5th failure, they recommended he never be allowed back. Yet, he's been reinstated and will be eligible to play week 12. That's a pretty lenient policy for a banned substance if you ask me.

[CubinNY]

That's a pretty lenient policy for a banned substance if you ask me.

The question is why should it be a banned substance? It's a bigger issue than sports though. The puppets that control most legislators want to invade the privacy of the average worker for no good reason. Well, the reason is actually a good one, they can keep wages low and workers scared. I know of no evidence that shows drug testing increases productivity or results in fewer work related accidents. It is however, good for the bottom line especially when the worker has to pay for the drug test. If a guy is doing drugs at work or comes in high, fine fire him. The same is true if he's drinking. But what a person does on his or her own time is their own business and has no bearing on work unless the said drug is a PED.

[CubsInNC]

The question is why should it be a banned substance?

Because it's illegal. Kinda like why you'd get suspended for running a dog fighting ring or illegal possession of firearms. If you don't like the law, you can fight it. But it's still illegal.

 

It's a bigger issue than sports though. The puppets that control most legislators want to invade the privacy of the average worker for no good reason. Well, the reason is actually a good one, they can keep wages low and workers scared. I know of no evidence that shows drug testing increases productivity or results in fewer work related accidents. It is however, good for the bottom line especially when the worker has to pay for the drug test. If a guy is doing drugs at work or comes in high, fine fire him. The same is true if he's drinking.

 

Yeah, it's a much bigger issue than sports. And yes, company costs DO play a role. Anyone who could be a health insurance liability is a potential target. Alcoholism is a protected sacrament in this country, mainly because alcohol is legal. And I think its time will come. Obesity is the target next on the horizon. Illegal activities at work should be dealt with harshly, I agree. I don't think the issue is just productivity and fewer accidents. Although, if the threat of testing and dismissal is present, I'd bet that an employee is less likely to partake in an activity that could have lingering effects that diminish their capacity to produce. If an employee on a business trip, at a convention, etc, etc, does something illegal, and gets caught, that reflects on the company. Regardless of the employees "on the clock status." If an employee goes straight from work to the bar, gets drunk, and crashes and kills someone, that too, is a reflection on the company. Whether it's fair or not, media spin and public perception make it so.

 

But what a person does on his or her own time is their own business and has no bearing on work unless the said drug is a PED.

 

What a person does in their own time is their own business, yes. But those activities aren't guaranteed to not cross the doorstep at 8AM when their shift starts, or never interrupt their business day.

 

Also, there's a study from UofTex (here) that indicates (in a small sample size) that there's a significant chance of use of other illegal drugs (greater than 40%) for those who use marijuana, and in their study that illegal drug use without marijuana use was much smaller (warning really, really, really small sample). The validity of that data can be argued, but it's data that confirms the hypothesis. It's going to take a lot of data indicating any other result, to change the minds of most.