Set as an example. This is what the clamor of most university sports officials in relation to the recent involvement of some of their students to steroids use and trafficking of these substances. They urged the Canadian Football League (CFL) to start implementing steroid policies that conforms to the world Anti-Doping Agency or WADA. As of this moment the league has yet to establish a stringent policy on doping which may send a wrong message to aspiring student athletes.

Athletic director of University of Waterloo Bob Copeland said in an interview that steroid testing should be done at levels including professional football. “You have to attack the issue of performance-enhancing drugs at all levels – high school, university and beyond,” he said. The university which is the center of steroid controversy was forced to test the entire football team to counter suspicion that the entire team was also involved. The Canadian InterUniversity Sports added 4 more universities for the random testing to determine if there are more football players involved in the use of anabolic steroids.

The sports director of the UW is not alone in this objective. Other school administrators, coaches and even student athletes showed the same sentiment on the issue that is, to let the CFL adopt anti-doping policy right now.

While the Canadian Interuniversity Sport athletes are subjected to random drug testing for substances banned under the WADA Code, student athletes may still try using performance enhancing drugs just to prepare for the CFL. Defensive back Taurean Allen of Wilfrid Laurier said that the absence of a drug policy of the league sets a bad example for the CIS.

The WLU’s athletics director and the OUA’s football convener, Peter Baxter said to The Record, “There’s no question, the CFL should have testing at that level,” he said. “The CFL guys are role models for some of our student-athletes.”

The implementation of an international standard drug test may not happen too soon according to some sources. One hindrance to the adoption of WADA like steroid testing is the cost involve. It is estimated that the cost for drug testing could reach up to $400,000 per year. Although teams and pro football players are amenable to the adoption of new steroid policy but they also have some demands that need to be considered by the CFL.

Another football coach, Gary Jeffries of Wilfred Lauriers believed that if the CFL were to implement a policy, it will send a positive message. “It sends the right message,” he said. They all agree that having a sound steroid policy at all levels will deter the student athletes particularly in football to use steroids.

Meanwhile, the football player who was charged for trafficking steroids, Nathan Zettler of the UW, posted $30,000 bail. He was placed under the custody of his grandparents with strict conditions. The court prohibits him to go to places where he allegedly stolen goods and barred from entering the school premises. Aside from these, Zettler should also refrain from talking to any current or former member of his football team. The use of cellphone, computer or access to any electronic device were also part of the conditions set by the court. He will appear again on April 26.

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