As noted here at Atlantic City.com, New Jersey kicked off the announced high steroid testing program at the state wrestling tournament.
One year ago former Gov. Richard Codey signed an executive order approving testing in 2006-2007. This was the first test run for wrestling. Kansas City-based Drug Free Sport — the same company that tests NCAA athletes and minor league baseball — implemented the tests. The
company chose five weight classes at random. Every wrestler at
those weight classes competing in Sunday's tournament
had to submit to a urine sample after his match. The samples were to be
tested for 82 types of steroids.
Timko (NJ official) said the feedback has been so good that other states are looking into enacting similar policies. He will speak about New Jersey's testing program in April at a meeting of the National Federation of State High School Associations.
“Everybody has been very positive,” he said. “We're looking out for the safety of our student-athletes and trying to make a level playing field.”
Parents appear to be responding positively to the testing program.
Rick Vernon, whose sons Cory and Owen wrestle for Hackettstown, one of the participating teams Sunday, said he has no problem with the testing. Cory, a senior, was in one of the weight classes tested.
“If you're clean, you won't mind,” Vernon said. “It's all right as long as they are doing it professionally, not making mistakes. It better be 100-percent kosher.”
“What if your kids are doing drugs?” he said. “Wouldn't you want to know?”
The implementation of the anti-doping program appears to be well thought out, and well-planned.
All student-athletes must have a permission slip — which lists the 82 steroids that will be tested for — signed by a parent or guardian at the beginning of the season.
A positive test results in a 365-day suspension from all NJSIAA sports.
Costs
Testing isn't cheap, however.
The NJSIAA allotted $50,000 for the program and was given another $50,000 by the state, Timko said. Each individual test costs around $175.
Not every sports gets tested, but every sport is open to testing. For instance, the use of steroids to enhance performance is more likely in a sport such as wrestling than in bowling. That's not to say bowlers won't ever be tested, Timko said, but maybe not as often as other sports.
During the fall sports season, boys and girls soccer, field hockey and football teams were tested.
Tennis and cross country athletes were not.
I'm glad to read about extensive drug testing taking place for these athletes, and also that there is a parental notification about this as well. The damages that these steroids can cause to the body are horrendous and tragic.
Posted by: NJ Girl | 11/19/2008 at 15:11