TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Highlands Today

Schools Develop Policy For Steroid Testing

ADVERTISEMENT

By MARC VALERO | Highlands Today

Published: January 20, 2008

SEBRING — The School Board of Highlands County will vote on Tuesday to begin developing a policy for anabolic steroid testing of student athletes.

The state has directed the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) to test student-athletes in grades nine through 12 for the use of anabolic steroids during the 2007-08 school year.

"I haven't seen any problems here. I do know of other schools that have had some problems," said Sebring High School Athletic Director Terry Quarles. "I think it's a good start with Florida High School [Athletic Association] to test them."

According to the FHSAA, approximately 1 percent of all student-athletes in grades nine-12, who participate in the sports of boys baseball, girls flag football, boys tackle football, girls softball and girls and boys weightlifting, may be tested.

Quarles said, "I'm concerned that they left out a sport that really needs to be tested and that is wrestling."

Currently the Highlands County School District is in the development stage on implementing a new rule for steroid testing.

School Board Attorney John McClure said that the district employs a consulting firm that develops policy, based on state law, for the school board to consider.

Once the policy is developed, it goes before the school board, which authorizes publication of the policy. Public comments are accepted for 30 days and then it is advertised for adoption at least 14 days prior to the school board vote on adoption.

The FHSAA has contracted with the National Center for Drug Free Sport, Inc. to administer the testing program. School participation is mandatory.

What Happens?

A student-athlete who tests positive will be suspended from practice and competition in all sports for 90 school days. The suspension will begin immediately on the day the school receives notice of a positive finding. The student-athlete must undergo a mandatory exit test no sooner than the 60th school day of the suspension.

According to the state policy, at the end of the 2007-08 school year, a maximum of 1 percent of student-athletes participating in the named sports will have been tested.

Commenting on the small sampling percentage, Quarles said, "they're barely scratching the surface right now, but I think they're looking at a way to implement it more and increase the percentage that they test."

Thus far no students have been tested at Sebring High School.

The school implemented the Atlas and Athena anti-drug program last year, which generated student discussion on steroids, Quarles said.

"We are trying to be proactive and educate our students about the dangers of them," she said. "We want them to make wise decisions as to what they do."

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT