KTJ
10-19-2006, 04:19 PM
Dewhurst: Mandatory drug tests needed for HS athletes
04:13 PM CDT on Thursday, October 19, 2006
By TERRENCE STUTZ / The Dallas Morning News
AUSTIN – Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst called Thursday for mandatory, random testing of all Texas high school athletes for steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs, saying a testing program is needed to protect students from the dangers of such drugs.
Mr. Dewhurst, leader of the Senate, said lawmakers will be asked in their regular session next year to approve drug testing for high school athletes that would be similar to what is already being done at the college level.
"I want to protect the children of Texas from the dangers of anabolic steroids, which short-term can cause depression or violent behavior, and long-term, illnesses which can lead to death," Mr. Dewhurst said.
The University Interscholastic League, which regulates sports in high schools, would develop sanctions and penalties for athletes and schools found to violate the rules. Mr. Dewhurst did not say what those penalties should be.
Mr. Dewhurst said the UIL would study whether middle school athletes should also be tested.
Statewide testing would be a significant undertaking because of the huge number of athletes in high schools and middle schools – estimated at nearly 1 million. In football alone, Texas has more than 160,000 players in grades nine to 12, according to a national association that represents high schools.
The UIL has previously estimated that it would cost $6 million a year to randomly test high school and middle school athletes for anabolic steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs. That figure was based on a cost of $200 per test and a testing rate of about 3 percent of athletes – the same percentage of NCAA athletes now tested annually at the college level. Mr. Dewhurst said that the tests could be done for half that price.
The lieutenant governor was joined by Don Hooton, whose son Taylor, a Plano West High School baseball player, took his own life after suffering depression that his father thinks was related to the boy's steroid use. Mr. Hooton has become a national leader on the issue of steroids and young people.
"I hope the lieutenant governor's plans to curb steroid use in Texas will become a model for this nation, and that other states will follow Texas' lead," Mr. Hooton said.
UIL officials have been in touch with the National Center for Drug Free Sport, operator of the testing program for NCAA athletes.
Mr. Dewhurst also wants to establish online education sites for coaches and athletes about performance-enhancing drugs.
04:13 PM CDT on Thursday, October 19, 2006
By TERRENCE STUTZ / The Dallas Morning News
AUSTIN – Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst called Thursday for mandatory, random testing of all Texas high school athletes for steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs, saying a testing program is needed to protect students from the dangers of such drugs.
Mr. Dewhurst, leader of the Senate, said lawmakers will be asked in their regular session next year to approve drug testing for high school athletes that would be similar to what is already being done at the college level.
"I want to protect the children of Texas from the dangers of anabolic steroids, which short-term can cause depression or violent behavior, and long-term, illnesses which can lead to death," Mr. Dewhurst said.
The University Interscholastic League, which regulates sports in high schools, would develop sanctions and penalties for athletes and schools found to violate the rules. Mr. Dewhurst did not say what those penalties should be.
Mr. Dewhurst said the UIL would study whether middle school athletes should also be tested.
Statewide testing would be a significant undertaking because of the huge number of athletes in high schools and middle schools – estimated at nearly 1 million. In football alone, Texas has more than 160,000 players in grades nine to 12, according to a national association that represents high schools.
The UIL has previously estimated that it would cost $6 million a year to randomly test high school and middle school athletes for anabolic steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs. That figure was based on a cost of $200 per test and a testing rate of about 3 percent of athletes – the same percentage of NCAA athletes now tested annually at the college level. Mr. Dewhurst said that the tests could be done for half that price.
The lieutenant governor was joined by Don Hooton, whose son Taylor, a Plano West High School baseball player, took his own life after suffering depression that his father thinks was related to the boy's steroid use. Mr. Hooton has become a national leader on the issue of steroids and young people.
"I hope the lieutenant governor's plans to curb steroid use in Texas will become a model for this nation, and that other states will follow Texas' lead," Mr. Hooton said.
UIL officials have been in touch with the National Center for Drug Free Sport, operator of the testing program for NCAA athletes.
Mr. Dewhurst also wants to establish online education sites for coaches and athletes about performance-enhancing drugs.