6/23/07

Testing sends high school athletes an early warning

Florida's approval of a one-year pilot program to randomly test high school athletes for steroid use is a step in the right direction.

The program takes effect July 1 and will test only 1 percent of male football and baseball players and weight lifters. The effort makes a strong statement by suspending athletes who test positive or who refuse to provide a urine sample.

When young athletes see that some professional sports stars use performance-enhancing drugs to get ahead, it creates a ripple effect. Too many youths choose short-term gains over safety in a misguided attempt to gain a competitive edge.

A recent study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that 4.8 percent of U.S. high school students admitted taking steroids without a prescription.

Adding to the temptation is the online availability of steroids, including some forms not suitable for human consumption.

Several Southwest Florida coaches interviewed for a recent Herald-Tribune story raised legitimate questions about the testing program: Why are only some sports being targeted? Why not test all students?

Overall, though, the coaches endorsed the state's first attempt to discourage use of performance-enhancing drugs.

We agree with the coaches who said prevention programs should be stressed as well. Steroids' potential side effects can have long-term consequences for adolescent boys, in some cases stunting growth and causing impotence, breast enlargement and liver damage. When young athletes get reliable information about the risks, they are more likely to make wiser choices.