Steroid proposal is back in play, By: Peter Wong

Courtney's plan targets the use by student athletes

February 8, 2007

Senate President Peter Courtney is making a second try at curbing the use of steroids and performance-enhancing supplements by Oregon youths.

Although competition is valuable, the Salem Democrat said, he added that "competition can become unhealthy when winning becomes an obsession. Our children are concluding that trying dangerous substances which promise increased performance are the only way to compete."

Senate Bill 517 would:

  Bar school employees from endorsing, distributing or suggesting steroids or performance-enhancing supplements to students.

It is similar to a policy of the Eugene School District, which adopted it a few years ago after the then-South Eugene High School football coach sold creatine supplements to some players.

  Direct the state Department of Education to include information about steroids and performance-enhancing supplements in physical-education and health classes.

  Provide education to coaches and athletic directors, twice each year, about how to identify abuse of steroids and performance-enhancing supplements and prevent their use.

Some provisions are similar to those in a 2005 bill that Courtney sponsored and the Senate passed but that failed in the House.

The 2005 bill provided for maximum penalties of three months in jail and a $500 fine.

The new bill omits those penalties.

Courtney said he would introduce a new bill after the Statesman Journal published a series in the fall about the abuse of steroids and performance-enhancing supplements.