House approves bill to counter student steroid use, By: Alan Gustafson

It prohibits school employees from endorsing products

May 31, 2007

A bill prohibiting school employees and coaches from promoting or supplying steroids and performance-enhancing supplements to students passed the Oregon House on Wednesday.

Senate President Peter Courtney, D-Salem, sponsor of the bill, praised the legislation as a vital tool in curbing the risky use of illegal steroids, plus an array of legal products that purport to boost energy, increase muscle, add or cut weight and provide a winning edge.

"We need to change the win-at-all-costs culture that exists among many of our children," Courtney said. "This is a strong first step in that direction."

Senate Bill 517 cleared the House by a 50-9 margin.

Rep. Scott Bruun, R-West Linn, was opposed, although he acknowledged there is a problem with students using performance-enhancing substances.

"The definition of performance-enhancing is pretty vague," he said. "That could be interpreted to mean Advil, Gatorade or Ben Gay."

Rep. Mitch Greenlick, D-Portland, countered: "It's not a vague definition at all ... . It's a very straightforward bill."

It's important to ensure that coaches aren't recommending performance-enhancing substances, Greenlick said, because some students "worship them."

The bill now heads to the desk of Gov. Ted Kulongoski. If signed by the governor, it would prohibit school employees from endorsing, distributing and suggesting steroids or performance-enhancing supplements to students.

It also directs the state Department of Education to include information on steroids and sports supplements in physical-education and health classes.

The bill also would provide education for coaches and athletic directors about how to identify abuse of steroids and performance-enhancing supplements and prevent their use.

Steroids are illegal, muscle-building drugs that help athletes get stronger rapidly. In 2005, nearly 5 percent of U.S. high school students acknowledged using steroids without a doctor's prescription, according to the National Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Steroid users risk a slew of side effects, from liver damage and cancer to aching joints and severe acne.

Doctors, coaches and sports officials also worry about a burgeoning supply of unregulated performance-enhancing sports supplements. Easily purchased by teenagers, they range from so-called "testosterone boosters" marketed on the Internet to over-the-counter pills and powders sold in drug stores that promise to boost energy and build muscles.

Senate Bill 517 received strong endorsement from the Oregon School Activities Association, representing nearly 300 schools throughout the state.

"Our coaches are not medical experts and this bill will ensure that they are not involved in recommending or supplying any type of food supplements to students," said Tom Welter, executive director of the OSAA.

Reporter Steve Law contributed to this story.