Murph's Turf: Testing high schoolers for steroids not worth it, By: Tim Murphy

May 19, 2006

Administer a random drug test on all Ridgefield High School athletes and a few will likely test positive for steroids and other banned performance-enhancing drugs. By now teenagers are well versed in the medical danger of these drugs, yet some are willing to undertake the risk if it means success, particularly a college scholarship.

The number is small. Estimates of steroid use among high school students range from 2% to 6%, depending on the source. Included in that group are students who don’t even play sports but just want to look buff on the beach.

So far, no high school athletes in Connecticut or any other state have been randomly tested for steroids. The topic has been discussed but never gone beyond words.

New Jersey wants to change that.

The Garden State is poised to become the first in the country to test high school athletes for performance-enhancing drugs. Under the plan, which was given preliminary approval earlier this month by the state’s high school athletic association, approximately 500 athletes will be randomly tested before New Jersey state championship tournaments starting next fall. A final decision is due June 7.

New Jersey’s trailblazing will make other states consider a similar approach. Some may institute their own drug-testing policy for high school athletes.

Should Connecticut be one of them?

No.

While deterring impressionable teenagers from trying steroids is a noble goal, random testing is not the answer. There are just not enough of them using illegal performance enhancers to make the tests worthwhile.

With such a small percentage of high school athletes using banned drugs, New Jersey’s program will uncover few cheaters in its random pool. And since the policy only covers athletes participating in state tournaments, the deterrence angle isn’t sharp. Athletes using steroids could either bank on their team not making states, or pull out of the tournament with a bogus injury or other excuse. Remember, the ones doing steroids are often more concerned about their own prospects. And with college scouts putting more and more emphasis on performance at camps and travel tournaments, missing a high school state tournament is hardly a career blunder.

New Jersey officials estimate the state will spend around $150 per test. That’s $75,000 for 500 athletes. It’s money that could be better spent on textbooks.

A wiser strategy would be for states to make sure their schools are increasing students’ awareness of the medical risks associated with steroids and other illegal drugs. This could include seminars and talks with medical professionals and former steroid users.

Concurrently, high school coaches, athletic directors and parents should understand the physical and emotional signs of steroid use and be proactive if they have suspicions. In those cases, parents have the option of taking a son or daughter to the family physician and getting a test done.

That kind of vigilance is preferable to a random testing policy that won’t be productive or cost-efficient.