Charlotte student-athletes could face random steroid testing, By: Jason Witz

State's pilot program to test for anabolic steroids

Charlotte County student-athletes could face random testing for steroids this year, as part of a statewide initiative to thwart usage of the performance-enhancing drugs.

Parents will receive a letter from Charlotte County Public Schools in the coming days about the state mandate to test for anabolic steroids.

Any student who wishes to compete in football, baseball, softball or weightlifting must sign a consent form agreeing to the possibility of a random steroid test. Athletes who refuse will be ineligible for those sports.

Wrestling was left off the list, much to the surprise of school officials.

The pilot program will randomly select 1 percent of the state's high schools, and then 1 percent of those students to conduct testing.

April Prestipino, director of student services, told Charlotte County School Board members at a Monday workshop this means only 600 total students will be subject to the testing.

"The chances are very good no school in this district will be chosen," said board member Barbara Rendell.

The Florida High School Athletics Association will administer the program through contracted service with Drug Free Sport Inc., which will use UCLA's Olympic laboratory for urine analysis. School participation is not optional. Officials will get a one-week notice regarding an upcoming test, but the student-athletes selected won't be disclosed.

"Hopefully, we don't have anyone using this stuff and it won't be a problem," said Board Chairwoman Andrea Messina.

If an athlete tests positive for steroids, he will be suspended from the sport and enter a drug education program conducted by the district.

Prestipino said the tests won't detect custom steroids or human growth hormones.

Several board members believed the program would do little to deter steroids usage, given its limited scope.

Still, others said the initiative is just getting started.

"It's definitely going to expand next year," said Board Vice Chairman Lee Swift.

STEROID TESTING

A breakdown of the state's high school steroids testing pilot program:

* The state, along with the Florida High School Athletics Association, will conduct a one-year pilot program to test for anabolic steroids.

* It will randomly test student-athletes across the state in baseball, football, softball, weightlifting and girls flag football.

* All students who participate in these sports must sign a waiver consenting to the random testing.

* Any student who tests positive will be suspended from the sport and undergo a drug education program conducted by the district.