The Milford School System recently passed a new 3 Strike Rule on all sports activities.

This rule penalizes participants in school sports if they are caught using or possessing any kind of drug in or out of school.

“I think that it is fair,” said Mr. Sweeney, a Health and Substance Abuse teacher at Law. “It helps to teach students what is right to do.”

The new standard is somewhat similar to the baseball rule from which the rule gets its name. First offenders are simply suspended from a game which they are scheduled to participate in; second offenders are suspended for a season of their sport; and third time offenders are not allowed to play for the rest of their student career.

Some students, however, fear that the new rule is an invasion of privacy. Since the rule applies to students during school as well as out of school, it is feared that the rule abridges personal freedom.

“I do not think it is an invasion of privacy, I would want to know what my kid or student is doing,” Sweeney said.

A student, senior Stephany B. agrees with Sweeney.

“I do not think that it is an invasion of privacy, people should take responsibility for their own actions,” Stephanie said.

Obviously, this new rule will only apply to those involved in the use of illegal substances. The question is whether or not drug abuse is a problem in our schools. While it may seem that students are generally clean, some say that drug use has been and always will be somewhat of a problem in schools.

“Drug abuse will always be a problem, but it is important that students continue learning to make better decisions,” Sweeney said.

Stephanie agrees with this point as well.

“Yes it is a problem but it is under control,” Stephanie said.

With the introduction of this new rule to school sports teams, it is inevitable that some will suffer the consequences, though whether or not it will truly prove effective is something that only time can unveil.