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Steroid Testing Awaiting Signature

Steroid Testing Awaiting Signature May 30, 2007 A bill to test high school athletes for steroid use is on Gov. Rick Perry’s desk after final approval by the State Legislature Monday. The bill will mandate testing beginning in the 2007-08 school year in a program to be administered by the University Interscholastic League and funded by the state. Fredericksburg High School is one of 130 public high schools among 1,300 in the state that currently tests for steroids. The Fredericksburg Independent School District policy, which has been in place for three years, includes all students involved in any extracurricular activity. The bill only mandates testing of athletes involved in UIL activities. Under current FISD provisions, students involved in extracurricular activities are selected randomly. Probably about one-third of those involved are selected, Superintendent Marc Williamson said. Of that number, a portion are randomly chosen to receive steroid testing along with a battery of tests for marijuana, cocaine, amphetamines and other illegal drugs. While the cost for the basic battery of tests is only $18 per student, the cost of steroid testing is about $110 per student, he added. “If we are one of the schools selected to take part in the program, we will have to modify our program to specifically target athletes,” he said. “We would prefer that the testing be a local decision.” Williamson noted that since the FHS program has been in place, no one tested has turned up positive for steroids. The only positive results among FHS students tested so far has been for marijuana, he said. Students who test positive are subject to a series of disciplinary and educational measures which increase in severity for the first, second and third offenses. The House approved the statewide steroid testing bill 140-4 and the proposal had been a priority for Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst because, he said, “I believe it will deter young people from putting that poison into their bodies and save lives.” The bill’s House sponsor, Rep. Dan Flynn of Van, said that “it will help secure healthy and safe lives for our young people.” State budget planners have set aside $3 million for testing the first year.