[helmzgk]

Just had one of my players caught with alcohol today. Can't remember if he's a freshman or sophomore. Supposedly he's been bring in a bottle of vodka, whiskey, beer, whatever he can get his hands on two or three times a week for a couple of years now. The Admins even said he did it in junior high also. He's got a real problem. Things were going good for him too because the varsity coach just called him up last week. I haven't talked to him but what do you say to a kid with a problem like that, especially if he's only 14 or 15 years old. I suspect he'll be getting some serious counseling though.

[Richie]

He is an acoholic he needs help.

You coach the team and are responsible to all your players not just one. He should be warned by the coach if he is every caought with booze of any kind on him or on his breath or fails a drunk test, he is off the team period end of story. Is he going to offer booze to his team mates?

Tell him don't think he is smart guy with the vodka because he will get caught any way.

You know the drunk driver test that the High way patrol does? Tell him someone will check him out using those tests, and it can happen at any time. Warn him he fails he is off the team. During that time test him 5 days in a row so he is worried about getting caught. He misses a practice and you see him at school teat him then.

Just don't do it in front of the team.

Be serious with this kid let him know he fails he is off, and will be reported to the school.

That is all you can do to help him. You have the team to think about.

[bison]

before you test anyone, please make certain that you are aware of his civil rights.

Now I agree, it is the right thing to do, but all it takes is one parent to file a lawsuit and next thing you know, they own your house.

But Please be careful - I don't mean for the kids sake, but for your sake.

[jdonnici]

Maybe I missed it, but... are you coaching a school team or a club team? You refer to the admins and his grade level, so I'm assuming this is a school team.

In either case, nobody has a "right" to play soccer... though you options for dealing with the situation are probably different for each situation. If it's a school team, then it's probably pretty simple. If he gets caught again (by the school), he's off the team, regardless of what other consequences there are. If this is a club/rec team, your hands are probably tied more...

I agree that you've got the rest of the team to think about, but if soccer his something he really loves you might also be the best person to "reach" him. Something to think about...

[IASocFan]

My daughter became an alcoholic at this age. She passed out while drinking on the way to school and was taken to the hospital to have her stomach pumped. If the parents and school administration aren't aware, they should be. You have a life-threatening situation.

[helmzgk]

He got caught and suspended for 5 days(a 5 day holiday pretty much), and he's going through counseling. The Varsity coach, who coaches him now, says if he doesn't shape up he won't take him. I can't take him anymore because he played Varsity, so that's out of the question. He's a real quite kid, but I think he'll turn around.