Legislator Wants Statewide Steroid Testing for High School Athletes

2/20/07

TALLAHASSEE, FL (AP) -- A state lawmaker is reviving his mission to create a statewide steroid testing program for high school athletes. This is the fourth year that Representative Marcelo Llorente has filed legislation that would mandate random steroid testing for high school athletes.

The steroid tests would be given to one percent of the athletes who participate in football, baseball and weightlifting starting in the 2007-2008 school year.

Any athlete refusing to take the test would not be allowed to join the team. Students who test positive would be suspended from the team, but could be reinstated later by passing a second test. Representative Llorente says high school students can feel a lot of pressure to enhance their performance so they can get drafted by a professional team or earn a scholarship.

He's concerned they may try steroids without understanding the serious health consequences.