High School Athletes to Undergo Random Steroid Testing

By Alison Gonzalez

Published on October 12, 2007

More than 23,000 students are expected to be tested in the two-year program, which was introduced by the University Interscholastic League amidst recent concerns that steroid use in college and professional sports will have an influence on the young athletes.

Earlier this month, Olympic runner Marion Jones admitted to using steroids; and cyclist Floyd Landis was found to have used performance-enhancing drugs during the Tour de France last year.

The tests are intended to act as a deterrent more than anything else, according to Tommy Cox of the Austin Independent School District Athletics program.

Under the new program, students who test positive for steroids face a 30-day suspension by the UIL. A second offense can mean a one-year suspension, and students with a third offense will be banished from the UIL for life. Those who refuse to be tested will be treated as a positive test.

The statewide mandate, which will cost approximately $3 million each year, is set to begin near the end of October after a testing company is selected.

Texas will join only two other states — Florida and New Jersey — who are already involved in similar programs.

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