LEGAL DRUGS ALSO BIG CONCERN

Marijuana, cocaine and ecstasy are the target of most high-school
drug-testing programs. But it's the legal, over-the-counter nutritional
supplements that are more of a worry to some coaches and educators.

Supplements such as creatine and ephedra are readily available and widely
used by prep and pro athletes. Creatine increases strength, while ephedra
promotes endurance. But those substances and others like them are
unregulated and their long-term effects, particularly on adolescents, are
largely unknown.

Steroids, which also can help build strength and muscle quickly, are
regulated as prescription drugs, but that doesn't stop athletes from
abusing them.

The National Football League and the International Olympic Committee ban
ephedra and steroids.

But it would not be cheap to test prep athletes for those substances. While
routine drug-test kits for marijuana, cocaine and ecstasy can cost as
little as $10, a complete steroid test costs 10 times that. The cost to
test for ephedra is $115, according to Cindy Thomas of the National Center
for Drug-Free Sport.

Still, Ronnie Matthews, executive director of the S.C. High School League,
thinks it would be worth it.

"It's hurting our kids," he said. "None of us are naive enough to think
that high school kids aren't using it if the pros are using it."

Lewisville High School linebacker Prince Strong said he favored testing. "I
sort of wish they would test for that stuff. Why should you need drugs to
get strong? I think that stuff is for people who don't want to work hard in
the weight room."

Denny Seitz
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