Florida: Home of dirty elections and clean high school athletes

After much debate and media attention, Florida joins New Jersey and Texas as states that require some form of mandatory high school anti-doping testing.  The bill passed yesterday appropriated $100,000 for random tests in 3 sports: football, baseball, and weight lifting.  (Jacksonville.com)

Under the program, positive tests will result in a 90-day suspension from athletics but will not facilitate criminal charges or affect academic standing. Athletes who test positive will have a means to appeal, will be subject to regular testing thereafter, and must complete a drug education program. The names of students chosen for testing will not be subject to open-records laws.

The Governor of Florida could barely contain his unbridled enthusiasm at the bill's passage:

When asked about the bill earlier this week, (Governor) Crist said: "I think it's probably OK."

Recent events in Florida showed the state to be a hotbed of steroid and anabolic activity: the Internet pharmacy raids on steroid/HGH distribution from Florida compounding pharmacies;  'roids found in a high school coaches office; Sen Mitchell's probe toured the state during baseball spring training.