If other states already gave up their steroid testing program for high school students, Illinois on the other hand is determined to deter students from using steroids and other performance enhancing drugs. Governor Pat Quinn has recently signed into law a measure that expands steroids testing program for high school athletes. It is an enhancement of the previous steroid testing policy of the Illinois High School Association. The IHSA conducted last year their first random steroid test on student athletes. Under the existing policy they conduct 700 random tests during playoffs.

Gov. Quinn said that the new law will cover 1,000 student athletes annually who will be randomly tested anytime during the school year. It will include both female and male athletes. The guideline has still to be finalized according to IHSA, which is responsible in the implementation of the program. IHSA spokesman Matt Troha said that they are still awaiting word from the Illinois Department of Public Health on how the structure of the new testing will look. “We do not anticipate it being in place for the fall sports this year, in which case we would likely continue using last year’s testing plan,” he added.

The extension of the program was due to the effort of State Rep. Jack Franks and Dick Butkus. Butkus is a former Chicago Bears and from University of Illinois who has campaigned against the use of steroids of young athletes. Proponents of this program believe that the test is effective in preventing young athletes to engage in performance enhancing drugs at their very young age. Although last year’s result were not alarming since all the students with positive test result were granted medical exemptions. The IHSA already spent $150,000 for implementation of the program last year. The screening was handled by the National Center for Drug Free Sport which also worked with NCAA, MLB and NFL.

The new law draws various reactions from coaches and athletes of member schools. Football coach Al Martin of Du Quoin said that testing high school athletes for steroids would help prevent its use. He considers steroids as a problem and its really scary since sometimes young athlete don’t know what they are getting involved in. He also added that like drugs and alcohol, it’s present in every community. “And if you don’t think it is, then you have your eyes shut,” he said.

Senior players believe that taking steroid is cheating. Matt Gossett, a senior quarterback said, “What you’re doing is affecting other people around you, and I think it’s only fair to them if you play fair.” They would not try using steroids even if there is too much pressure and the desire to excel in their chosen sports.

Athletes of Batavia also share their views on the program. Ricky Clopton, a senior basketball player said that the testing serves as a deterrent and it makes it a lot fairer. However, he commented that steroid problem was sometimes overemphasized. “I agree with what they’re doing, but I think everyone’s making a big deal about it at the high school level in overemphasizing the whole steroid thing. I don’t think it’s really that big of a problem for kids our age,” he said. According to him, they are well informed of the new policy and the authorities are doing their tasks of keeping them up to date.

Athletic Director Mike Rogowski of Waubonsie Valley feels that the expansion of the law will have little effects on the athletes. They will be doing the same things just like what they did last year and the only difference is IHSA can conduct the test anytime of the year.

The expenses for the drug testing will come from the state and students who will be tested positive for steroids will be fined $50. The IHSA will randomly select student athletes from 25 percent of member schools. Other states with steroid testing program this year are New Jersey and Texas.

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