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rockdale80
04-14-2005, 07:17 PM
UIL panel decides to take a pass on steroid testing — for now
Group decides statewide testing would be too costly, open up 'Pandora's Box' of issues
AdvertisementBy Rick Cantu

AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF

Thursday, April 14, 2005

It would be ideal to have mandatory steroid testing for high school athletes in Texas, but implementing a program to attack the issue is not forthcoming. At least for now.

That was the general reaction from a state advisory panel studying the use of performance-enhancing drugs today in Austin. The University Interscholastic League's panel of school officials, parents and political appointees discussed the steroids issue for two hours, but declined to recommend steroid tests for the state's high school athletes.

That does not diminish the advisory panel's interest in the matter, UIL athletic director Charles Breithaupt said, but there are many steroid issues to consider before its next meeting in the fall.

"There is a tendency for people to think a problem is not as big as others might think," said Dan Montgomery, chairman of the UIL advisory committee. "But I had heard stories about syringes in the weight room when my son was still in school 11 years ago."

The panel learned there are more questions than answers while discussing the pros and cons of drug testing.

Several panel members wondered who would pay for tests — which can cost as much as $200 an athlete. If an athlete has a positive test, what would the penalty be? Would a team have to forfeit games if one athlete is caught?

Panel member Vernon Newsom said drug testing could "open Pandora's box." If athletes are tested, for example, will students in band or one-act plays be subjected to drug testing as well?