From britdisc-owner@csv.warwick.ac.uk Mon Mar 5 13:49:19 2001 Received: (from daemon@localhost) by pansy.csv.warwick.ac.uk (8.10.1/8.9.3) id f25Dk2103355 for britdisc-outgoing; Mon, 5 Mar 2001 13:46:02 GMT Received: from snowdrop.csv.warwick.ac.uk (root@snowdrop [137.205.192.31]) by pansy.csv.warwick.ac.uk (8.10.1/8.9.3) with ESMTP id f25Dk1h03345 for <britdisc-real@pansy.csv.warwick.ac.uk>; Mon, 5 Mar 2001 13:46:01 GMT Received: from mail.dmt.co.uk (mail.dmt.co.uk [193.130.13.212]) by snowdrop.csv.warwick.ac.uk (8.10.1/8.9.3) with SMTP id f25DjrY09111 for <britdisc@csv.warwick.ac.uk>; Mon, 5 Mar 2001 13:45:58 GMT Received: From DMTNT.DMT.CO.UK (192.168.10.2[192.168.10.2 port:2978]) by mail.dmt.co.uk Mail essentials (server 2.422) with SMTP id: <37@mail.dmt.co.uk> for <britdisc@csv.warwick.ac.uk>; Mon, 5 Mar 2001 1:42:49 PM +0000 smtpmailfrom <paul.meaney@qa.com> Received: by dmtnt.dmtdomain with Internet Mail Service (5.5.2650.21) id <DWGZ1R9G>; Mon, 5 Mar 2001 14:02:09 -0000 Message-ID: <A5AACA33C168D2118B6800A024CB49D72CA397@dmtnt.dmtdomain> From: Paul Meaney <paul.meaney@qa.com> To: britdisc@csv.warwick.ac.uk Subject: RE: Tough on drugs, tough on the causes of drugs Date: Mon, 5 Mar 2001 14:02:07 -0000 MIME-Version: 1.0 X-Mailer: Internet Mail Service (5.5.2650.21) Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Sender: owner-britdisc@warwick.ac.uk Precedence: bulk All, do people not feel that while any public expression of the apparent condoning of the use of illegal substances is detrimental to our game, there is little point in trying to enforce restrictive measures to the behaviour of the individual. A few ideas - in professional sports, there have been long associations with alcohol and drugs (witness rugby and cricket respectively), and yet when we hear of some famous cricketer rolling a joint before going on, or some rugby team drunk out of their skulls destroying a bar, it's all reluctantly accepted and the game seems to trundle on (in fact it's par for the course that if you are a rugby player, thou shall drink unfeasible quanitities of beer. Or that's my perception of it.). I feel that it is the general perception of Ultimate as a sport, rather than any inherent associations, that should be the focus here, not wether some people wish to enjoy different forms of recreation. The fact that most people are introduced to ultimate at university is a major problem and I applaud all the efforts of people to establish a strong base of ultimate oat the school level. I feel that is how we will change the public perception of our game. The more is is played in schools the more it becomes more acceptable. However this leads into a circular argument in that Stig and other likeminded individuals are jepoardising their jobs, the range of tournaments his team can attend and the development of school ultimate if there is apparent public condoning of drug use by TD's - no matter how lightheared or innocent. (I remember a Student Outdoor Nationals not too long ago, where the players pack included a packet of Rizlas. I wonder why.....) Whilst I fully agree with Stig that any *public* support for drug use (bongs etc) must be avoided at all costs, it seems a bit unrealistic to stop individuals discretley 'nipping outside...' and penalise teams accordingly IIRC, the reason we lost lydney was that someone living in the area thought that an illegal rave was going on and phoned the police. Surely, it could be argued, that a better promotion of the event in the local area may have prevented suspicions being aroused? Under current legislation somking cannabis is illegal. Am I right in thinking that current perception is that Ultimate is played by a bunch of stoners? Surely then, it should be the attitude of the BUF/ BUA that any PUBLIC facet of the game (media coverage, any potential interaction with members of the public - finals, prizegiving, parties) must display the image that we all desire should be promoted, a fast, atheltic, healthy, fun game with SOTG at it's heart. Paul (really trying to be nice - honest)