Feb 18 2009
High School Steroid Testing: Negative in Illinois, No Funding in Florida
Steroid testing in most high schools in US States was due to the controversies and scandals by professional athletes. Steroid use among professional athletes were rampant as what is being portrayed in the media and from congressional inquiries. Lawmakers and athletic organizations immediately implemented programs that would deter any young athlete to try any performance enhancing drugs and other banned substances. Texas steroid testing program for example is one of the most comprehensive program for high school students which was also followed by other states.
In Illinois, the drug testing program for high school students is successfull according to IHSA. The Illinois High School Association reported that the new drug-testing program has been successful in discouraging the use of performance enhancing drugs among teens. This is supported by the result of the drug test conducted on different high schools under their supervision. According to Kurt Gibson, IHSA assistant executive director, 264 students in the entire state went through the random testing program in the fall and none of these students were found to be violating the association’s policies.
Gibson who is also working on the sports-medicine issues for IHSA is not surprised on the result. “The purpose of our program has been to serve as a deterrent. From the feedback we received in the fall from parents and coaches, people were taking that program seriously.” Gibson said.
Although the test found 6 students who were positive for stimulants or anabolic steroids but they were granted “medical exceptions” and weren’t punished. Based on the investigations conducted by the association, the students are taking these substances because of health conditions. These were the results of medicines they were taking. The test on athletes were conducted in post-season play.
It is the policy of IHSA to suspend any athlete who tests positive and doesn’t have a valid medical excuse or refuses to provide a sample. They can’t also participate in any IHSA-sanctioned competitions for the whole year and forfeit any honors earned while in violation.
Some of the substances banned by the IHSA are stimulants, anabolic steroids such as androstenediol, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and Oxandrolone. It also includes diuretics, peptide hormones and analogues.
Drug testing in Illinois high schools is being carried out by Drug Free Sports which also select athletes for testing. The urine samples are analyzed at the University of California at Los Angeles, and results are available after two weeks. The test on steroid is conducted on 108 students and test for stimulants on 156 students.
According to Gibson, the test for winter sports has already begun but results are not yet available.
On the other hand, Florida will no longer implement steroid testing to its high school students because of no funding from the government. According to state officials, in the tough economy, they can’t justify spending the $100,000. The tests which were randomly administered at 53 schools costs $166 per student. Florida High School Athletic Association spokeswoman Cristina Alvarez understands the situation. She said that money has to go to certain things right now to help the entire state not just one association.
The Florida High School Athletics Association supervises the testing of its 426 public schools and 224 private schools members since July 2007. FHSAA sanctions any athlete who refused to provide a urine sample would be ineligible to remain on the team. Those who test positive would be suspended from the team, but could be reinstated if they pass a follow-up test later.
Will Brinson of Mouthpiecesports.com reacted on this issue. He said that State money must certainly needs to be directed towards programs designed to benefit society as a whole, making this move understandable. “What makes the whole process deplorable, though, is the fact that Congress continues to plow through millions of dollars in an effort to hawk down admitted steroid users and alleged perjurers” he added. The government should stop wasting money chasing the old cheaters but it would be more sensible to deter youngsters at an earlier level.
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