Random steroid tests on N.J. high schoolers all negative

TRENTON, N.J. - New Jersey's first in-the-nation tests of high school athletes for steroid abuse showed no positive results among 150 random samples taken in the fall, according to the group that administered the tests.

All tournament-bound high schoolers randomly sampled tested negative for performance-enhancing drugs, according to Bob Baly, assistant director with the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association.

New Jersey became the first state to administer the test to athletes amid concerns that high schoolers might be bulking up to be more competitive. National studies have shown that about 2 percent of teenagers use steroids before graduating from high school.

The scholastic association, which oversees high school sports, plans to test about 500 athletes during tournaments for various sports in the 2006-07 school year. The $100,000 cost is split between the association and the state Education Department.

Baly says the money is well-spent, even if every test is negative.

"If we find out that people aren't doing something illegal because they're afraid to get caught, then we're successful," he told The Philadelphia Inquirer for Sunday newspapers.

In Philadelphia, St. Joseph's Prep stopped testing for steroids years ago.

"It was too costly and it wasn't productive," said Gil Brooks, who coaches St. Joseph's football team. "We didn't find anyone who tested positive."

The National Federation of State High School Associations reported in its February publication that Illinois is close to starting steroid testing among high school athletes, and that it plans to use New Jersey as its model.