Athletes, drug tests

June 4, 2007

Walton County School Board Representative Sharon Roberts wants to make drug testing, including steroid testing, mandatory for every high school athlete.

“It’s not today’s use, but the damage they are doing to their bodies,” said Roberts, who wants the school district to consider the addition of drug screening as part of a high school athlete’s required physical. “If we can keep them from damaging themselves, we’ve done something.”

The Florida Legislature recently passed a bill instituting random steroid testing of high school athletes, beginning with a one-year pilot program. Gov. Charlie Crist is expected to sign the bill into law.

Roberts’ plan would test every Walton County high school athlete in every sport for steroids and street drugs and pass the cost to the athlete as part of their required physical. The physical is good for one calendar year, meaning a fouryear athlete would be tested at least four times in high school.

Roberts asked board members and Superintendent Carlene Anderson to examine the idea. It will be discussed as part of the annual review of the school district’s code of conduct, which will take place this summer.