We have heard stories about drug use by Schutzhund competitors. What is your opinion on this subject?

I am very opinionated on this subject (not that I am not opinionated on all subjects). I believe there is far too much drug use by schutzhund competitors. Especially at a national level. I need to preface this by saying that the majority of National Competitors do not use drugs. But in my opinion there are far too many that do.

If 15% to 20% of the competitors (including some judges) are out there smoking dope in the hotels (or in the parking lots) at a competition then this is 15% to 20% too many. I don't think this number is over stating the problem.

I have personally turned my back on the issue more than once in the past, when I walked to my car at a national event. The people I saw know exactly who they are. I can tell you this, I will never turn my back on this again. Next time I will place a call to the local law enforcement and ask that a Police K9 be sent to the scene. I will write a report for the responding officers and let the chips fall where they may with the individuals involved.

In my opinion, Schutzhund USA, the DVG and WDA need to take a stand on drug use. These organizations need to stand up and make a statement that they are drug free organizations. They need to treat their national competitors just like any other major sport and run drug tests. This is long overdue. This is not expensive. We sell parents marijuana test kits at our jail for $5.00, (marijuana will test positive for 29 days after use). If we are to expect the sport to grow through the influx of young people, how can we stand by and allow this kind of activity to take place?

Maybe it’s time for the major schutzhund organizations to take a closer look at who some of the members really are. I like what the KNPV does in Holland. If a person is a convicted criminal he cannot become a member of the KNPV.

To me it seems pretty much a "NO BRAINER" that the board of directors would not pass a rule that the top 10 finishers at the national event would automatically be drug tested and random tests done for 2 or 3 others who finished out of the top 10. How expensive would that be and what a great message to send. Maybe the club members around the country who read this should suggest it to their regional directors. I wonder how a regional director could say "NO" to a request like that. They would have to have a pretty good reason. Wonder what it could be.

If the organizations will not take this upon themselves, maybe the companies that sponsor these events should suggest it.

Ed,

I strongly agree with you on this issue. This became an issue on a protection discussion board of which I am a member. I am sick and tired of the people who claim that they don't use drugs but are against testing due to "principle" or "invasion of privacy." To these people I ask, "Do you have the right to know if your doctor who is about to perform surgery on you is a drug addict? Or is your neighbor who is babysitting your kids a child molester? Or is the police officer or airline pilot on drugs while at work?" When at work I find that the people who object most to my probable cause searches of their persons or vehicles are the ones that I inevitably find drugs or contraband on. In fact, the stronger the objection, the harder I search. I don't mind giving up a little personal freedom if it is for the good of the community and makes it a safer place to live.

Jeff