Written by:
Niki Kelly
January 24, 2008 6:01 a.m.
Hundreds of high school baseball and football players would be tested for steroids under a bill passed 7-3 by the House Education Committee on Wednesday.
“Some will surely say we don’t have a problem,” said Rep. Eric Turner, R-Gas City, author of House Bill 1365. But he noted a Michigan study that shows 2.7 percent of all high school students nationwide have used steroids.
“I’m hopeful none turn up positive,” he said. “But the message needs to be clear.”
The legislation would require the Indiana High School Athletic Association to randomly test 1 percent of all Indiana high school football and baseball players, which would equal about 354 athletes a year.
The penalty for a positive test is a 90-day suspension from practice and games. Student-athletes would not be able to continue to participate while they appeal.
Turner said he picked football and baseball because they seemed to be the sports in which steroid use would most likely occur. Several legislators brought up wrestling and track as possible additions, but no changes were made.
Indiana would become only the fourth state to test high school athletes for steroids.
New Jersey was the first, starting with the 2006-07 school year. Since then, Florida and Texas have passed laws, although Texas’ testing has not begun.
Blake Ress, commissioner of the Indiana High School Athletic Association, said New Jersey and Florida have tested 1,100 athletes combined since their programs began and have had only two positive results.
“I’m certainly not opposed to kids being tested. I think they should be clean,” he said. “And if they test positive, I have no sympathy for them serving the penalty.”
But Ress is concerned that the IHSAA would have to handle all the appeals, which could require special expertise.
The tests themselves would be paid for by the schools, costing about $50,000 statewide, Turner said.
But he is considering an amendment for the state to pick up the cost.
Rep. Paul Robertson, D-Depauw, was among the most hesitant.
“To me it’s not as big a problem in high school,” he said, noting he was prepared to support the measure before the hearing. “But I simply don’t see the need for the bill at this time.”
Rep. Joe Micon, D-West Lafayette, tried to persuade Robertson that times have changed since his days as a teacher and a coach.
“I know the pressure on our high school athletes to be physically fit – to bulk up – is tremendous,” Micon said, noting he has two kids in high school sports. “Things are different now.”
The bill now moves to the full House for consideration.
