State lawmakers crafting bill to test student-athletes for steroids, By: Anthony Malakian
June 10, 2006
Dealing with the problem of steroids in sports has been on the agendas of many professional organizations. But currently only two states, New Jersey and New Mexico, have policies in place to face the issue on a high school level.
New Jersey, the first to have a statewide policy, has random testing for athletes who qualify for postseason play. New Mexico tests in four high schools as part of a pilot program.
New York lawmakers are working on a bill that would set up a system to test student-athletes, with $5 million that would be given as grants to districts participating in the program to help with expenses.
Irvington athletic director Artie McCormack lives in Ramsey, N.J., and sees both benefits and problems with the New Jersey program.
"Anything that would help to ensure the safety of the athletes is great," McCormack said.
But some of the problems that a steroid policy faces is the cost, and how fair it is to just test those athletes that qualify for postseason play.
"You are telling schools, if you make the playoffs you will be tested for drugs, and if you don't make the playoffs you won't,'' McCormack said. "It's tough to only single out those who have excelled."
Retiring Fox Lane athletic director Tom Caione agreed with McCormack's sentiments.
"This is a health-and-safety issue, as opposed to an unfair-playing-advantage issue," Caione said. "I don't think winning championships at the high school level is the be-all, end-all. We are in the education business."
It is generally agreed upon that a steroid policy can only help. But the implementation and cost are major hang-ups. If there is universal testing, is it feasible to test all athletes as opposed to just those who qualify for postseason play.
Some area athletes would be fine with just testing contact sports. Somers senior Kevin Winters, who competes in track, lacrosse and football, would like to see testing for everybody, but at the minimum for those sports that are more physical.
"I hate playing against teams where you know their players are on steroids, or even if it is your own team, it is not cool to be around," Winters said. "Definitely they need it (testing) for contact sports, but ideally it would be for all sports."
Lonnie Cason, who plays linebacker and guard for Nyack, also feels that a steriod policy is necessary, but it should be for all sports.
"It is unfair to test just certain sports," Cason said. "Steroids are popular among all kids in every sport, not just football."
Cason also feels, though, that testing just postseason-eligible athletes would be acceptable.
It is a complicated issue, with many different opinions. So for the time being, New York is in a state of dialogue.
