Test teens for steroids? Not yet
New Jersey's policy won't spread to New York high schools anytime soon, By: James Johnson
June 13, 2006
New Jersey will begin testing high school athletes for steroid use next school year, but New York state appears to be more than a few steps from heading down that path.
"We always make a statement about students not using steroids, but no one has really put out a definitive plan," said Ed Stores, executive director of Section V, the governing body for high school sports in the greater Rochester area.
While state and Section V administrators like the intent of New Jersey's plan, they said there is a list of potential obstacles that would have to be addressed before testing could begin in New York.
Most of the sticking points involve costs, issues of confidentiality and logistics associated with drug testing.
"There's a lot involved here," said Dennis Fries, executive director of Operation Offense, Section V's chemical health initiative. "Whether it's legislated or if it's (a sanctioning body) rule would determine who's paying for it.
"You would have to have a lab ready to go, someone there to handle the samples and make sure we're not compromising the results. Do you have a mobile station that goes around to all of the state championships?"
Parents and student-athletes in New Jersey will be required to sign a consent form before the start of each sport season, beginning next fall. Athletes will be subject to random testing if they or their teams qualify for state tournament play. Testing would take place through each level of state competition.
Athletes who test positive for any drugs or substances on New Jersey's banned list face a one-year suspension.
"We're kind of forging a new path when it comes to random testing," said Ted D'Alessio, a member of the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association's executive committee. "This is a work in progress.
"The athletic directors I've spoken to had mixed emotions about it. They want to see how it's going to be administered."
New York legislators have introduced bills related to steroid testing for at least a decade, but none has become law. The most recent bill would include a $5 million grant program to defray costs. Each test for steroid use costs about $100 to $200.
The New York Civil Liberties Union opposes the current legislation because it would "sink $5 million into testing" and has no education component, Donna Lieberman, executive director, told Gannett News Service.
Jerry Diehl of the National Federation of State High School Associations disagreed. "Sports are a privilege, not a right," he said.
Some of the top athletes in the Rochester area said they would have little problem with testing but don't regard it as relevant.
"I don't see the need," said Pittsford Sutherland senior Rachel Murphy, who has played varsity soccer and basketball. "I would be willing to have testing, but it would probably be a waste of money."
Erica Henderson, a junior who has played soccer and softball and has boxed at Aquinas Institute, said testing for steroids would be fair but pointed out another potential hurdle:
"People who are getting tested will feel as if they are getting targeted."
East High senior Brent McGill, who played varsity football and ran track, said it would seem "fishy" if an athlete was selected for testing more than once during a school year.
"Like they had me on a list or something. (Testing) shouldn't even be needed. Everyone should just work hard."
Webster Thomas junior Robbie Brown, who has played football, basketball and baseball in high school, sees a potential benefit of steroid testing: quashing rumors about usage.
Brown said he was bothered by talk that he was using steroids during his sophomore year.
"I decided not to play basketball, but lift (weights) to try my best to put on weight. I made huge gains, 15 to 20 pounds. All of a sudden I started hearing from my coaches that parents or someone believed I was using steroids.
"It upset me because of all the hard work I'd done. It's hard to tell with kids, because you're growing.
"I would've loved to have been tested, so I could say, 'Here's the proof.'"
