Keeping irresponsible adults away from our youths is just one of the many reasons why the Lihu’e Pop Warner Association is implementing the first-ever drug testing program in the state for its upcoming season. “What better way to show real
Keeping irresponsible adults away from our youths is just one of the many reasons why the Lihu’e Pop Warner Association is implementing the first-ever drug testing program in the state for its upcoming season.
“What better way to show real passion about something we want to eliminate from our community, then to set an example for everyone else by setting up this drug testing program,” Lihu’e Pop Warner president Mel Rapozo said.
Although it probably won’t totally stop some adults from taking drugs, it’s definitely a step in the right direction.
“I think it’s a great idea and I don’t think that there’s any place for drugs/alcohol in football or any sport,” Jim Koyama, father of Lihu’e Pop Warner player Matt said.
Even Lihu’e Pop Warner coaches are in favor of the unprecedented idea.
“I’d like to see other organizations step in and start drug testing too,” Lihu’e coach Dean Pigao said.
With the national sports scene infatuated with testing for steroids and other drugs, the Lihu’e Pop Warner Association decided to take its own stand.
Rapozo brought the concept before the board of directors of the Lihu’e Pop Warner Association and they passed it without any real hesitation.
“We just need to ensure that our kids will be around a safe environment, with good role models, and besides, if we can save at least one kid, then we’ve done a lot,” Rapozo said.
The drug testing program will be voluntary and will test every volunteer within the organization. It will cost about $40 to administer a test, but the association will pick up the cost. Volunteers will also be tested at the beginning of the season.
“It’s a good idea; we can’t have people as bad influences around players and it shows that the higher powers reallly care about us and are willing to take action,” Matt Koyama, a Lihu’e Pop Warner player said.
Rapozo, who calls it the pilot project, hopes to have other Pop Warner associations follow their lead.
“I feel that Pop Warner, AYSO, Little League, KYBA, all have to provide something for the kids that will help them grow and not bring them down,” Rapozo said.
Gracie Grace, who has two children (Lance and Kasen Delos Reyes) in the Lihu’e Pop Warner Association, feels
“As a parent, it’s really comforting to know that my children are being coached by responsible individuals and by drug testing, it will ensure that all volunteers who are around players are staying away from drugs,” Grace said.
Rapozo, who is also the Kaua’i Pop Warner Football League President, said that drug testing will provide a deterrent and turn away individuals who take drugs.
“We’re going to take it one kid at a time and I’ve talked to other organizations and they are excited about it too,” Rapozo said.
As coaches Craig Koga, Dean Pigao, and John Takamura sat at a table at Isenberg Park on Friday afternoon, they all agreed on one concept, which was the fact that the drug testing program will set a great example for not just other Pop Warner associations, but from other youth sports all the way through the high school level.
