Locals back steroid testing, By: Marisa Maldonado

Coaches, athletes say state's plan could prevent drug use

   Local coaches this week threw their support behind a proposed state policy calling for a random sample of athletes who reach state championship games to be tested for a variety of performance-enhancing drugs — and some even said the policy should be expanded in the future.
   The plan, which received unanimous approval from the executive board of the New Jersey Interscholastic Athletic Association earlier this month, would require 5 percent of such athletes to be tested after the championship round. Any athlete found using steroids would be suspended for one year, although they could appeal the decision, said Bob Baly, NJSIAA assistant director.
   All results would be available two weeks later and would be released only to the athletes and the school, he said. Finding steroids in an athlete on a victorious team would not cost the team a championship, but individual athletes who test positive for steroids could have their titles revoked, Mr. Baly said.
   A $50,000 grant from the state, along with a matching grant from the NJSIAA will fund the testing, Mr. Baly said. He said he does not know how the policy might evolve in the future.
   "We're just trying to get the policy off the ground (and) let the future take care of itself," Mr. Baly said.
   Local athletic officials called the policy a good first step in addressing steroid use among student athletes, although some said the sample size might be too small to effect real change.
   "The kids who are in the good programs are definitely going to think twice about (using steroids)," said Pat Dowling, football coach at Monroe Township High School. "What about all of those kids who know, 'There's no chance my team is going to the playoffs, and I want to get as big as I can'?"
   South Brunswick has had several track athletes compete at the state level, but team sports have yet to advance that far, Athletic Director Elaine McGrath said.
   Mark Ziminski, boys lacrosse coach at South Brunswick High School, also said the narrow scope of the policy might not deter students from using steroids. He said individual schools should be responsible for addressing these issues.
   Currently South Brunswick does not test athletes for steroids. Any student who is suspected of using such drugs would be referred to student assistance counselors at the high school, Ms. McGrath said. South Brunswick officials said they have never suspected that a student athlete has used steroids, which she attributed to education on steroids in freshman and junior health classes.
   Athletic trainers also talk to athletes about the dangers of steroids and monitor students' growth, she said, and all coaches receive regular training on how to spot signs of steroid use, such as quick weight gain, acne or a violent temper.
   The same is true at Monroe. Mr. Dowling said he has to look out for students who think they could play better if they gained weight.
   "Nowadays kids are looking for the quick fix," Mr. Dowling said. "(It's) that kid who thinks they can go play at the next level, but they're lacking in size."
   Dietary supplements such as fat burners are more of a concern for girls' volleyball coach Nancy McDonald, because rapid weight loss is one of the key symptoms to look out for among female athletes.
   "I hear kids talking about losing weight quickly," Ms. McDonald said. "(With) girls, especially, it's a constant worry when they want to compete at a certain weight. Especially your gymnasts, your athletes who will get faster if they are lighter."
   Ms. McDonald said the NJSIAA's new policy could deter students from using steroids but suggested that mandatory testing for all varsity athletes could be more effective.
   "It's not mandatory for everyone, what they're proposing," Ms. McDonald said. "I think they're better off going to a mandatory (policy) for all varsity athletes if they're going to do that."
   Athletes who compete in individual sports such as track are more likely to use steroids, said Brian Mikesell, a trainer at South Brunswick High School.
   "I would imagine it has to do with the amount of pressure on one individual, as opposed to pressure on a team," Mr. Mikesell said.
   But the pressures of competition have not driven South Brunswick athletes to performance-enhancing drugs, according to one athlete. Andrew Fellouris, a South Brunswick senior who plays football and lacrosse, said neither he nor his teammates have ever used steroids.
   "There's no need for it," Andrew said. "Everybody works hard and practices."
   But a testing policy could deter athletes who would use steroids even earlier in the season, Andrew said, as some would fear that the drugs would remain in their system for some time.
   Coaches and trainers have discussed the dangers of steroids with his teams, and Andrew said he trusts their opinions more than outside information on performance-enhancing drugs.
   "(Coaches) tell you the truth," Andrew said. "Those advertisements, the FDA doesn't approve them. They could give you a can full of baking soda; you don't know."
   Mr. Mikesell said he encourages athletes to bring him the labels of products they are considering using, such as caffeinated drinks and protein shakes. Sometimes, he said, athletes don't realize certain performance enhancers, such as St. John's wort, an herb that alleviates depression, could damage their health.
   Mr. Mikesell, who has been at South Brunswick for seven years, said he used to see athletes bringing in substances such as ephedrine, a stimulant found at health food stores that has been linked to high blood pressure, heart attacks and strokes. A pitcher for the Baltimore Orioles, Steve Bechler, died after taking the drug and the FDA prohibited its use in 2004.
   "The rules have gotten more strict since I've been here," Mr. Mikesell said. "In the beginning, you could purchase them over the counter."
   The NJSIAA should expand its policy to include a broader spectrum of athletes, Mr. Mikesell. But, as currently proposed, it could stop some student competitors from using steroids, he said.
   "It's better than what they're testing for now," Mr. Mikesell said.