DRUG TESTING TRICKLES DOWN TO HIGH SCHOOLS

Many state high school athletic associations have viewed
performance-enhancing drugs as a problem among teenage athletes.

Several, including the IHSA, have considered a variety of plans to combat
what they believe is an increased use of steroids and other drugs as a
means to gain a competitive edge on the playing fields.

Two weeks ago, the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association
became a pioneer among its peers by approving a measure to become the first
state to test athletes for drugs. The drug-testing plan is expected to gain
final approval early next month.

"I don't know if it's the right or wrong time," NJSIAA assistant director
Bob Baly. "We felt through studies and anecdotal research the use of
steroids is on the rise and easily accessible. We want to act as a
deterrent. Whether it's the right or wrong time someone had to start."

An estimate by the Centers for Disease Control revealed that steroid use by
high school athletes more than doubled from 1991 to 2003. National surveys
indicate that as many as 3.5-percent of athletes in high school have tried
steroids at least once.

But some coaches and athletes in the Pioneer Press coverage area don't
think the use of performance-enhancing drugs is common around Chicago's
northwest suburbs.

"I can't believe it's real prevalent," Rolling Meadows baseball coach Jim
Lindeman said.

Cary-Grove senior Cory Krupp and Dundee-Crown senior Scott Horcher, both of
whom are multiple-sport athletes, never have seen teammates try drugs and
haven't heard any stories of abuse.

But both believe testing for illegal supplements could be a way to even
further discourage athletes from experimenting.

"It sounds a little extreme, but if you want to protect the future and set
an example, this might be the way to do it," said Krupp, who plays football
and baseball for the Trojans.

The NJSIAA was pushed into action by former governor and state Sen. Richard
Codey. As governor, Codey issued an executive order directing the NJSIAA to
implement some sort of testing program.

According to Baly, the NJSIAA will randomly test athletes competing in
championship games. If an athlete refuses, he or she will be not be allowed
to compete. Those who are caught cheating will be ineligible for one year,
but they have the right to appeal any suspensions. Baly said the cost to
test could reach as high as $75,000 per year.

"I'd love to see (testing) and a level playing field for everyone," Huntley
football coach Steve Graves said. "I don't believe we have any kids doing
it, but I'd like to see it exposed."

While Graves has no experience dealing with an athlete using
performance-enhancing drugs, the thought of it troubles him.

"Some kids are driven so much to get scholarships as use as a means to get
them," he said. "I don't think it's a big problem, but any problem at all
is a big problem."

Lindeman, a former professional baseball player, said testing would deter
some athletes, but not all of them. Krupp shares the same view.

"If someone is going to do it, they are going to do it anyway," Krupp said.
"Look at Rafael Palmerio. He knew the testing was in place, but he still
got caught using. (Testing) would probably help stop it (in high school),
but it would take a few people getting caught."

Anthony Holman, an assistant executive director at the IHSA, said the
governing body has spent the last year researching performance-enhancing
drugs. He said the IHSA's sports medicine committee will share its findings
in the fall.

"I don't think our board has taken a position one way or another," Holman
said of enacting a testing policy.

At the very least, some of the athletes interviewed would like to see more
education on the subject of performance-enhancing drugs. They said the
topic rarely is discussed in a team setting.

"As years go on, sports get more and more competitive," Horcher said. "I'd
like to see some sort of seminar about how steroids are wrong. It's about
working hard and not trying to get an edge."