NJ governor clamps down on steroids
BY JOBY FAWCETT
New Jersey acting governor Richard Codey took the first step in the battle against steroid use in high school sports.
On Tuesday, Codey signed an executive order that requires random steroid testing for athletes on high school teams that qualify for the postseason. Testing begins in the 2006-07 school year, making New Jersey the first state to take such measures.
According to the decision, the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association will oversee the testing.
Bradley R. Cashman, executive director of the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association sees the move as admirable.
“We have had conversations about the steroid problem with our Sports Medicine Advisory Committee,” Cashman said. “We have not adopted our own policy about steroids. We always point to the legislation that appears in our handbook and by-laws.”
Steroid use in sports took center stage on the professional level when Congress held hearings to deal with Major League Baseball.
Pennsylvania Act 1989-93 requires ‘the School Board in every school district to prescribe, adopt and enforce rules and regulations to prohibit the use of anabolic steroids, except for a valid medical purpose, by any student involved in school-related athletics.’
It also includes minimum penalties for students in violation of the policy. They range from a suspension from school athletics for the remainder of the season, to missing two seasons, to permanent suspension from school athletics for a third offense.
“We need to remind school districts about the law,” Cashman said. “They must know and adhere to that Act of 1989. It’s not up to the PIAA. They have to make sure they are in compliance.”
While Cashman sees New Jersey’s initiative as a good idea, he worries about how his association would handle such a policy.
“I don’t think we have the resources or the staff to do something like that,” he said. “It’s great if the NJSIAA can get help with the funding. We just don’t have the staff, resources or expertise to do the testing. But this is admirable.”
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Originally Posted by SwoleCat
