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New
Jersey Tests High School Athletes for Steroids |
Posted:
1.04.06
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In December, New Jersey became the first state in the nation
to approve random steroid testing for high school athletes in
all sports.
Printer-friendly versions: PDF
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The decision, made by Governor Richard Codey, directs New Jersey
high schools to begin random steroid testing in the 2006-7 school
year.
Codey, who is also a youth basketball coach, created a task force
on steroid use and prevention in July in response to national
statistics showing increased steroid use among high school students.
"This is a growing public health threat, one we can't leave
up to individual parents, coaches or schools to handle,"
he said at a news conference.
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Steroid use
on the rise |
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The number of high school students who admitted taking steroids
has almost doubled in five years: 6.1 percent in 2003 up from
3.1 percent in 1998, according to the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention.
Peter King, a member of the task force and a senior staff writer
at Sports Illustrated, interviewed 28 coaches, athletes and school
administrators to determine how widespread steroid use was in
New Jersey schools.
"While steroids are definitely in use in New Jersey high
school sports -- mostly in football ... the use of steroids is
not widespread at all levels of sport," he concluded. "Use
is more prevalent at the schools where athletes have a better
chance of using sports to get college scholarships."
The task force also reported that the use of steroids and supplements
is greatest in large, suburban schools where there is more pressure
to make varsity teams, more students who can afford to buy steroids,
and more private training opportunities like health clubs where
steroids are available.
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New Jersey
outlines a testing plan |
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New Jersey plans to limit testing to a selection of student athletes
who qualify for post-season play.
Of the nearly 230,000 students who participate in 31 different
high school sports in New Jersey, about 10,000 take part in championship
games.
Under the governor's plan, 500 -- or 5 percent -- of those students
will be tested.
Students caught using steroids will likely be suspended from
sports activities in addition to whatever penalty might be imposed
by their school.
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Responses
to the plan |
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New Jersey plans to limit testing to a selection of student athletes
who qualify for post-season play.
Of the nearly 230,000 students who participate in 31 different
high school sports in New Jersey, about 10,000 take part in championship
games.
Under the governor's plan, 500 -- or 5 percent -- of those students
will be tested.
Students caught using steroids will likely be suspended from
sports activities in addition to whatever penalty might be imposed
by their school.
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Heath risks
of steroids |
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New Jersey plans to limit testing to a selection of student athletes
who qualify for post-season play.
Of the nearly 230,000 students who participate in 31 different
high school sports in New Jersey, about 10,000 take part in championship
games.
Under the governor's plan, 500 -- or 5 percent -- of those students
will be tested.
Students caught using steroids will likely be suspended from
sports activities in addition to whatever penalty might be imposed
by their school.
--
Compiled by Anne Bell for NewsHour Extra
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It makes me want to come to school every day, and it has given me something that I’m really good at.
