Courtney plans to raise steroid issue during Ore. Legislature

11/21/06

Senate President Peter Courtney and the Oregon School Activities Association plan to team up on a bill that would make it illegal for school employees and volunteers to supply, promote or encourage students to use performance-enhancing substances.

The bill would target illegal steroids as well as over-the-counter supplements such as creatine, said Tom Welter, the executive director of the OSAA. Similar legislation failed to gain passage during the 2005 legislative session.

"We need to do a better job of educating our legislators about the dangers of performance-enhancing substances and food supplements, and making sure they understand what this bill says and doesn't say," Welter said.

Courtney, meanwhile, said he expects to raise the idea of testing Oregon high school athletes for steroids when he meets with OSAA officials. The Salem Democrat unveiled those plans Monday to the Statesman Journal newspaper, which recently completed a three-day series about the use of steroids and dietary supplements by prep athletes.

This fall, New Jersey became the first state to require steroids testing for high school athletes. Random testing is limited to athletes playing on teams that reach postseason tournaments. Each test costs $175.

Welter said action is needed to curb steroid and dietary-supplement use by young athletes, but testing may not be the answer.

"Education has a far greater long-term effect on kids than drug testing, and it's certainly much more economical," he said.

But Dave Johnson, the co-director of the Oregon Athletic Coaches Association, said he favors testing — if the money for it can be found.

"I believe that if it saved one athlete from the possible side effects of steroids, it would be worth the time, cost and effort," he said.