Steroid Testing Approved

[Drake]

Texas Senate approved steroid testing program to go into effect next school year I believe. They still haven't decided if the state will pay for it or if the UIL will be involved in collecting the money for it somehow.

At least it is something, but it doesn't have much teeth. Player has to be caught 3 times before they're banned for good and a positive won't affect a player's team at all...

I was for this, but the article I read said that since CyFair ISD started drug testing they've only had a little over 2% get positive tests for all drugs and none have tested positive for steroids... So, is steroid testing, especially one thats a 3 strike and your out punishment even necessary at all? Seems like a waste of money given the statistics...

[TXFOOSBALL]

3 times testing positive for any drugs or just steroids??

If a player was using steroids the summer before his senior year and during football season would he even be tested three times throughout that football season. Will the public know after the 1st or second positive test?

[Drake]

3 times testing positive for any drugs or just steroids??

If a player was using steroids the summer before his senior year and during football season would he even be tested three times throughout that football season. Will the public know after the 1st or second positive test?Yes. 1st offense is a 30 day suspension of the player. 2nd is longer (I can't remember how long), 3rd is a ban from participation. I suppose the tests are for steroids only. Even if not, I'm certain the punishment is only for steroid positives.

[TXFOOSBALL]

are they testing year round?

[ken-in-rockwall]

Here is 2 links about this:

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/4702048.html

http://cbs11tv.com/topstories/local_story_100131709.html

[Gridiron Gopher]

Here is 2 links about this:

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/4702048.html

http://cbs11tv.com/topstories/local_story_100131709.html

It says the 2nd offense is a 1 yr suspension and 3rd offense is a total ban.

[FeeltheHaka]

I'm very glad that something is being done. But, unless it is year around; there will be too many ways to beat it. Also, I'm guessing this is for all sports, male and female. If this is the case, then a calculated risk can be made based on the percentages being tested. I think the education courses about the dangers of steroid use are good, but the steroid dealers are very good at discounting the risks.

This part of the article made me laugh:
A state study among 141,000 Texas students in grades 7-12 conducted by Texas A&M University found that steroid use fell from 2 percent in 2004 to 1.5 percent in 2006. Among 12th graders, it went down from 2.4 percent to 1.8 percent.

How in the heck can they quantify this? I remember in high school they would pass out questionaires about sex and drugs to use the data for these studies. As if a high school kid is going to tell the truth on these things.

[CyFallsMom]

I was for this, but the article I read said that since CyFair ISD started drug testing they've only had a little over 2% get positive tests for all drugs and none have tested positive for steroids... So, is steroid testing, especially one thats a 3 strike and your out punishment even necessary at all? Seems like a waste of money given the statistics...

My daughter quit softball in August (just didn't want to deal with it her Senior year and was tired of it after 10 years). At any rate, they call her in 3 months after she quits as a random drug test. She did the drug test and then called me about it. I went berserk. It's not about them drug testing her - that didn't bother me because I knew the results would be negative. What bothered me was that it was supposed to be on athletes only and they come pick her, a student who hadn't been in athletics for 3 MONTHS and test her instead of someone who is actually still on a team. She missed most of a class to do this as well. What a waste of money indeed. If they are going to do this, they really need to get their records more organized.

Of course, there are far more kids out there who DON'T play a sport who need drug testing but that's another subject completely:rolleyes: . At some point a line is crossed. However, I think Steroid testing should be done - but I don't know about the whole random thing - that's how she got tested to begin with.

[KT2000]

I don't like the idea of "random" testing. In my opinion, it's little more than a scare tactic. I'd like to see it done across the board, but realize the funds will never be there to make that happen at all schools. It's just not going to happen. So, because they are hitting such a small percentage it makes you wonder just how effective a use of money and resources it really is, if it is at all, as CyFallsMom pointed out.

I guess some testing is better than none, but I have serious questions about how it's all carried out. For example, just how are athletes "randomly" chosen for testing. If several members of a football team are tested before a rivalry game, as has been the case with a few programs I know, then it appears anything but random.

[unbiasedobserver]

I believe that if the testing shows that there is a larger percentage of atheletes using sterioids than what is currently suspected, then the random could be changed to mandatory. If no large scale abuse is found it may be dropped completely.
I guess you have to start somewhere, and IMO something is better than nothing.

[AHS Mustangs]

Maybe they should do a blanket steroid test before the season starts for each sport, that way all athletes are tested at least once. Then after that randomly choose them. I believe it should be done on a weekly basis, because if you wait too long, what is the point in testing, especially if the school will not be held accountable. I believe the team the athlete played on should have to forfeit any games they suited up in, that way it is a true deterrent(sp). Who would like to be the one to change their team's record from 10-0 to 0-10 because they thought they could advance themselves? You would have some pretty POed team mates, coaches, and student body.

[dragonsdaddy]

I believe that if the testing shows that there is a larger percentage of atheletes using sterioids than what is currently suspected, then the random could be changed to mandatory. If no large scale abuse is found it may be dropped completely.
I guess you have to start somewhere, and IMO something is better than nothing.

this "better than nothing" response is a liberal wimp-out similar to the hand-wringing that occurred after reagan got shot, leading to the brady bill that has made life as a law-abiding gun owner less than perfect, but has done next to nada in removing guns from the hands of criminals. let's spend money wisely, not just to be doing "something". i recommend that every coach in every district game can pick 1-3 players off the opposing team to be tested. it could be a minimum of 1 or a maximum of 3 with the number decided by the losing coach. game receipts should cover the costs. since steroid use is predominantly seen as a problem in football, let's focus or limited resources there. remember there is no such thing as state or federal money. it all comes out of my and your pocket in the form of taxes/fees.

[Drake]

I don't like the idea of "random" testing. In my opinion, it's little more than a scare tactic. I'd like to see it done across the board, but realize the funds will never be there to make that happen at all schools. It's just not going to happen. So, because they are hitting such a small percentage it makes you wonder just how effective a use of money and resources it really is, if it is at all, as CyFallsMom pointed out.

I guess some testing is better than none, but I have serious questions about how it's all carried out. For example, just how are athletes "randomly" chosen for testing. If several members of a football team are tested before a rivalry game, as has been the case with a few programs I know, then it appears anything but random.I agree and disagree. If you're going to test, it should be required of every athlete. But, even if it is only random testing, what's it matter who or when? It may seem unfair if it is obviously selective, like just before a rivalry game, but the bottom line is NO ONE is supposed to be taking them, so getting picked on is irrelevant unless you believe "getting caught" is the only real sin...

[markp912]

how much does each test cost? in KISD they do random drug testing, not for steroids though. this random thing doesnt work to well, some kids get chosen about 3-4 times in a row, then some athletes dont even get picked all year long.

[FeeltheHaka]

this "better than nothing" response is a liberal wimp-out similar to the hand-wringing that occurred after reagan got shot, leading to the brady bill that has made life as a law-abiding gun owner less than perfect, but has done next to nada in removing guns from the hands of criminals. let's spend money wisely, not just to be doing "something". i recommend that every coach in every district game can pick 1-3 players off the opposing team to be tested. it could be a minimum of 1 or a maximum of 3 with the number decided by the losing coach. game receipts should cover the costs. since steroid use is predominantly seen as a problem in football, let's focus or limited resources there. remember there is no such thing as state or federal money. it all comes out of my and your pocket in the form of taxes/fees.

Wow! talk about politically charged melodramatic wording! Comparing gun control to high school drug testing? Your idea has so many holes, and ways to beat the system. The only way for this testing not to be "liberal" and "wimpy" is to test each athlete every week year around. In addition to testing for the steroid itself, you must also test for masking agents. The only way to trully catch someone who wants to get away with it, is to test year around. Now, I think the education classes are going to be a great idea. As a matter of fact, I might even check in to see if I can teach some of them.

[KT2000]

I can see your point there, Drake. However, what I'm getting at is that I don't trust all of the random testing is carried out in an unbiased manner by the respective districts. The random testing can be used as a smokescreen for a "witch hunt", and that's why I want it done across the board if it's going to be done.

[dragonsdaddy]

Wow! talk about politically charged melodramatic wording! Comparing gun control to high school drug testing? Your idea has so many holes, and ways to beat the system. The only way for this testing not to be "liberal" and "wimpy" is to test each athlete every week year around. In addition to testing for the steroid itself, you must also test for masking agents. The only way to trully catch someone who wants to get away with it, is to test year around. Now, I think the education classes are going to be a great idea. As a matter of fact, I might even check in to see if I can teach some of them.
i'm comparing the thought process of having to feel like we are "doing something", not gun control, though as a hot button topic, i'd say the 2 are pretty similar. what holes are there? the opposing coach picks 3 slc players and the slc does the same 2 the chhs team. seems pretty cut and dried to me. how could this be more fair? penalties are another discussion altogether.

[FeeltheHaka]

i'm comparing the thought process of having to feel like we are "doing something", not gun control, though as a hot button topic, i'd say the 2 are pretty similar. what holes are there? the opposing coach picks 3 slc players and the slc does the same 2 the chhs team. seems pretty cut and dried to me. how could this be more fair? penalties are another discussion altogether.

Rosters can manipulated, Jerseys changed just to name a couple. There are many more ways, but I hope you get my drift.
The only way something couldn't be wimpy is if you put cameras in everyones bedroom, car, street etc.

[DrEdward]

I'm very glad that something is being done. But, unless it is year around; there will be too many ways to beat it. Also, I'm guessing this is for all sports, male and female. If this is the case, then a calculated risk can be made based on the percentages being tested. I think the education courses about the dangers of steroid use are good, but the steroid dealers are very good at discounting the risks.

This part of the article made me laugh:
A state study among 141,000 Texas students in grades 7-12 conducted by Texas A&M University found that steroid use fell from 2 percent in 2004 to 1.5 percent in 2006. Among 12th graders, it went down from 2.4 percent to 1.8 percent.

How in the heck can they quantify this? I remember in high school they would pass out questionaires about sex and drugs to use the data for these studies. As if a high school kid is going to tell the truth on these things.


That figure as to steroid use has been fairly well documented across the US, based on sampling as well as questionaires. The questionaires themselves are blind samples, so there is no incentive to not tell the truth, unless one simply wants to lie to themselves and/or screw up the aggregate results somehow. But the results come back consistently in the range reported. It is one of the reasons I have stated before that spending perhaps as much as $200 per test for steroids is simply not an efficient thing to do. If one is going to do this testing in the first place, then go ahead and test for illegal drug use of all kinds, especially if the "purpose" is to help keep kids off drugs in the first place. I am afraid that the Texas legislature is simply engaging in a bit of showmanship here. But at least we now see where the money is likely going going to come from - a tax on tickets to high school events.

[KattTx]

Allowing a person to choose who is tested before each game will not stand up legally - if this is anything like DOT D&A testing requirements. And it isn't fair because opposition coaches are gonna look across the field and pick three kids who "look" or "act" in a certain way. Or they could choose three high profile players. Or they could eenie-meenie-miney-mo it. See the direction this takes on? Certain kids would be singled out and tested often - thus missing the less obvious kids who may be using. What if you have a non-starter who doesn't look like much yet?

imo - the only way to institute this program is through a third party company that pulls randoms on teams using only social's. There are companies all over the country/ state who do only this. Your companies drug testing program is probably handled by one of these. It would not involve the UIL, school district employees, etc.. That is the only way to ensure no tampering or manipulation of the administration of the program.

[KattTx]

That figure as to steroid use has been fairly well documented across the US, based on sampling as well as questionaires. The questionaires themselves are blind samples, so there is no incentive to not tell the truth, unless one simply wants to lie to themselves and/or screw up the aggregate results somehow. But the results come back consistently in the range reported. It is one of the reasons I have stated before that spending perhaps as much as $200 per test for steroids is simply not an efficient thing to do. If one is going to do this testing in the first place, then go ahead and test for illegal drug use of all kinds, especially if the "purpose" is to help keep kids off drugs in the first place. I am afraid that the Texas legislature is simply engaging in a bit of showmanship here. But at least we now see where the money is likely going going to come from - a tax on tickets to high school events.

I couldn't agree more. If it needs to be done - be thorough and do it right.

[Drake]

Just curious, how is a steroid test administered? Is it done with a urine, hair, or blood sample?

[DrEdward]

Just curious, how is a steroid test administered? Is it done with a urine, hair, or blood sample?

It is done by drawing blood, which is why it gets so expensive in the first place. Looked at a lad bill lately from your insurance company? The drawing fee for the blood is about $25.00 by itself and that's before they do any testing.

[PackAttack2005]

As I mentioned in another post. Lufkin has been drug testing for years and started random steriod testing last year.

So nothing will change for us, it works here. I don't look at it as a scare tactic but putting the responsibility on the kid to make better choices. The kids will know going in that if you want to participate in extracirricular activities, your going to be tested and through this they might see the benefits of not doing the drugs at all.

[ktCarl]

I wonder when parents are going to honestly look at their own Little Johnny and say, "There's something going on here" and straighten him out or have him tested themselves? There has to be some parental involvement here. It's our kids health.

[Drake]

After consideration it seems to me the legislators should decide WHY they are testing, and then formulate a policy.

If the main objective is to keep teams with abusers from having an advantage, then they should test everyone and not only punish the individual, but the team as well. The fear of costing your team a game would be pretty strong incentive for a teenage student to abstain, but not only that, great incentive for coaches to continually educate and watch for problems.

If however, the primary concern is for the health of the student themselves, then it would be more productive to put all the resources into education. Because while neither random testing or education is a deterrent to someone willing to gain an advantage at any costs, a strong educational program would surely make inroads with some, and work to change the steroid culture, if there is one, in high school sports over time…

[FeeltheHaka]

It is done by drawing blood, which is why it gets so expensive in the first place. Looked at a lad bill lately from your insurance company? The drawing fee for the blood is about $25.00 by itself and that's before they do any testing.

You can also do a urine test, but a blood test is more accurate. I have feeling that the athletes will be undergoing a urine test. I am thinking this because some religions such as Jehovas witnesses do not allow invasive procedures. Also, the possibility of getting an infection or other complication exists with a blood test. This is just my guess.

[Big Daddy Cool]

Its good that they are looking into things like this, but I think as we have learned with both college and pro sports that no test is a perfect test. And now that people know they are testing for certain things they'll switch from those products to those not detectable by the test. Your never going to get rid of all the cheaters, but any attempt to weed them out is better than nothing.

[CFlb38 08]

well..in CFISD all athletes or extra people (band, orchestra, etc.) must accept random drug test, and i'm preety sure the list also had steroids.

[t-long20]

well..in CFISD all athletes or extra people (band, orchestra, etc.) must accept random drug test, and i'm preety sure the list also had steroids.

how could steroids benefit a band member? help him hold the instrument longer?

[YuccaRoot]

I'm for drug testing...

(1) steriods are dangerous; at minimum, it is playing russian roulette with their [health] future. The risks are not worth any perceived reward.
(2) athletes, at least in the short run, that use steroids are cheating kids that are clean. I would recommend one and your done regarding steroids; not 3 times and your out.
(3) kids that work hard through work-out, diet, legal supplements, and lifestyle often get accused of using steroids because of their strength and weight gains; the accusations are not fair and get old for these kids.

[katyguy09]

Its about time they start testing but i say this is just my thought that the should test all schools all athlets and the whole student body twice a year and for those who test positive provide help/councling etc.

[CyFallsMom]

how could steroids benefit a band member? help him hold the instrument longer?

It's anybody who is in any extra-curricular in CFISD and my son's trombone was VERY heavy. I can't imagine spending 3 hours of practice lugging that thing around in the August heat. At least at Cy Falls, the band kids were respected a bit by the coaches and football team (when he was in band anyway - not sure how they feel about one another now).

[KatyTigerDad0407]

It's anybody who is in any extra-curricular in CFISD and my son's trombone was VERY heavy. I can't imagine spending 3 hours of practice lugging that thing around in the August heat. At least at Cy Falls, the band kids were respected a bit by the coaches and football team (when he was in band anyway - not sure how they feel about one another now).The whole of CFISD is extremely respectful of their bands. I was at the Falls-Fair game last year and saw this in person. After the game the players could have hit the showers and the fans could have left the stadium. That didn't happen. Very respectful of all the hard work the bands does and it showed.

[t-long20]

after doing careful research im against steroid testing
Texas legislators have a difficult time finding money to fund public education, but they're willing to part with a few mil to test athletes for steroids
Why does the Legislature spend more time targeting the good kids instead of the bad? If a kid is going to go the extra mile and do extracurricular activities, he gets tested. But the kid that's cussing his teacher out or tagging the walls (of the school) isn't getting tested for anything."

if the uil gets stuck with the tab its estimated the cost will be between 2-4million per year and guess who gets to pay the extra money to cover the fee..thats right you so there will probably be a game tax and other taxes as well

[Down n' Out]

this "better than nothing" response is a liberal wimp-out similar to the hand-wringing that occurred after reagan got shot, leading to the brady bill that has made life as a law-abiding gun owner less than perfect, but has done next to nada in removing guns from the hands of criminals. let's spend money wisely, not just to be doing "something". i recommend that every coach in every district game can pick 1-3 players off the opposing team to be tested. it could be a minimum of 1 or a maximum of 3 with the number decided by the losing coach. game receipts should cover the costs. since steroid use is predominantly seen as a problem in football, let's focus or limited resources there. remember there is no such thing as state or federal money. it all comes out of my and your pocket in the form of taxes/fees.

What does being liberal have to do with it? You must be frustrated by the recent political polls. Not sure what it has to do with HS football though.

[Down n' Out]

I can see your point there, Drake. However, what I'm getting at is that I don't trust all of the random testing is carried out in an unbiased manner by the respective districts. The random testing can be used as a smokescreen for a "witch hunt", and that's why I want it done across the board if it's going to be done.

That's a really good point.....

[dragonsdaddy]

What does being liberal have to do with it? You must be frustrated by the recent political polls. Not sure what it has to do with HS football though.
it is a well known liberal tradition, that has also caught on across the aisle, to throw money at any problem, real or perceived. the thought that "at least we are doing something" is pale solace indeed, imo.

[twcpfan1]

The Brady Bill didn't mean crap in Texas anyway. Not with the gun show loophole. But it's all academic now. The bill has elapsed.

[nikkit12]

It is always good to read the bills proposed, passed etc. Here is the house bill section states exactly how this is to be paid.....


A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to random testing of certain public school students for
steroid use.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. The heading to Section 33.091, Education Code,
is amended to read as follows:
Sec. 33.091. PREVENTION OF ILLEGAL STEROID USE; RANDOM
TESTING.
SECTION 2. Section 33.091, Education Code, is amended by
amending Subsections (b) and (h) and adding Subsections (d), (e),
and (f) to read as follows:
(b) The league shall adopt rules prohibiting a student from
participating in an athletic competition sponsored or sanctioned by
the league unless:
(1) the student agrees not to use steroids and submits
to random testing for the presence of illegal steroids in the
student's body, in accordance with the program established under
Subsection (d); and
(2) the league obtains from the student's parent a
statement signed by the parent and acknowledging that:
(A) state law prohibits possessing, dispensing,
delivering, or administering a steroid in a manner not allowed by
state law;
(B) state law provides that bodybuilding, muscle
enhancement, or the increase of muscle bulk or strength through the
use of a steroid by a person who is in good health is not a valid
medical purpose;
(C) only a physician or a person acting under the
delegation and supervision of a physician in conformity with
Subchapter B, Chapter 157, Occupations Code, [medical doctor] may
prescribe a steroid for a person; and
(D) a violation of state law concerning steroids
is a criminal offense punishable by confinement in jail or
imprisonment in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.
(d) The league shall adopt rules for the administration of a
steroid testing program under which students participating in an
athletic competition sponsored or sanctioned by the league are
tested for the presence of steroids in the students' bodies. The
rules must:
(1) require each school district to submit to the
league a list of students who are subject to testing under the
program;
(2) establish a statistically significant number of
students to be tested;
(3) provide for the league to generate a random list of
selected students to be tested by each school district for
steroids;
(4) require each school district to test the selected
students at a laboratory:
(A) approved by the league; and
(B) certified or accredited:
(i) by the Substance Abuse and Mental
Health Services Administration of the United States Department of
Health and Human Services; or
(ii) under the Forensic Urine Drug Testing
Program of the College of American Pathologists;
(5) provide for a process for confirming any initial
positive test result through a subsequent test conducted as soon as
practicable after the initial test; and
(6) provide for a period of ineligibility from
participation in an athletic competition sponsored or sanctioned by
the league for any student with a confirmed positive test result.
(e) Results of a steroid test conducted under Subsection (d)
are confidential and, unless required by court order, may be
disclosed only to the student and the student's parent and the
activity directors, principal, and assistant principals of the
school attended by the student.
(f) The league shall pay the costs of the steroid testing
program established under Subsection (d). If necessary to provide
adequate revenue to pay those costs, the league shall impose an
admission fee for spectators at athletic competitions sponsored or
sanctioned by the league. Revenue raised through an admission fee
under this subsection shall be used only to pay the costs of the
steroid testing program.
(h) Subsection (b)(1) does not apply to the use by a student
of a steroid that is dispensed, prescribed, delivered, and
administered by a medical practitioner for a valid medical purpose
and in the course of professional practice, and a student is not
subject to a period of ineligibility under Subsection (d)(6) on the
basis of that steroid use.
SECTION 3. This Act applies beginning with the 2007-2008
school year.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2007.

[nikkit12]

And here is the senate bill:

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to random testing of certain high school students for
steroid use and training of certain public school employees
regarding steroid use.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. The heading to Section 33.091, Education Code,
is amended to read as follows:
Sec. 33.091. PREVENTION OF ILLEGAL STEROID USE; RANDOM
TESTING.
SECTION 2. Section 33.091, Education Code, is amended by
amending Subsections (b) and (h) and adding Subsections (c-1), (d),
(e), (e-1), and (f) to read as follows:
(b) The league shall adopt rules prohibiting a student from
participating in an athletic competition sponsored or sanctioned by
the league unless:
(1) the student agrees not to use steroids and, if the
student is enrolled in high school, the student submits to random
testing for the presence of illegal steroids in the student's body,
in accordance with the program established under Subsection (d);
and
(2) the league obtains from the student's parent a
statement signed by the parent and acknowledging that:
(A) the parent's child, if enrolled in high
school, may be subject to random steroid testing;
(B) state law prohibits possessing, dispensing,
delivering, or administering a steroid in a manner not allowed by
state law;
(C) [(B)] state law provides that bodybuilding,
muscle enhancement, or the increase of muscle bulk or strength
through the use of a steroid by a person who is in good health is not
a valid medical purpose;
(D) [(C)] only a licensed practitioner with
prescriptive authority [medical doctor] may prescribe a steroid for
a person; and
(E) [(D)] a violation of state law concerning
steroids is a criminal offense punishable by confinement in jail or
imprisonment in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.
(c-1) A school district shall require that each district
employee who serves as an athletic coach at or above the seventh
grade level for an extracurricular athletic activity sponsored or
sanctioned by the league complete:
(1) the educational program developed by the league
under Subsection (c); or
(2) a comparable program developed by the district or
a private entity with relevant expertise.
(d) The league shall adopt rules for the annual
administration of a steroid testing program under which students
participating in an athletic competition sponsored or sanctioned by
the league are tested at multiple times throughout the year for the
presence of steroids in the students' bodies. The testing program
must:
(1) require the random testing of approximately three
percent of the total number of high school students in this state
who participate in athletic competitions sponsored or sanctioned by
the league;
(2) provide for the selection of specific students
described by Subdivision (1) for testing through a process that
randomly selects students from a single pool consisting of all
students who participate in any activity for which the league
sponsors or sanctions athletic competitions;
(3) be administered at approximately 30 percent of the
high schools in this state that participate in athletic
competitions sponsored or sanctioned by the league;
(4) protect confidentiality of test results by
permitting disclosure of test results, unless otherwise required by
court order, only to:
(A) the student and the student's parents;
(B) the league;
(C) the appropriate head coach or chief sponsor
of the athletic activity sponsored or sanctioned by the league; and
(D) the principal and assistant principals of the
school attended by the student;
(5) provide for a process for confirming any initial
positive test result through a subsequent test conducted as soon as
practicable after the initial test, using a sample that was
obtained at the same time as the sample used for the initial test;
and
(6) require the testing to be performed only by an
anabolic steroid testing laboratory with a current certification
from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, the
World Anti-Doping Agency, or another appropriate national or
international certifying organization.
(e) The league by rule shall specify a range of penalties
that may be imposed on a student as a result of a confirmed positive
test. The range of penalties must include the following:
(1) for the first confirmed positive test, a
suspension period of at least 30 days, during which period the
student is prohibited from participating in an athletic competition
sponsored or sanctioned by the league but may practice with other
students;
(2) for the second confirmed positive test, a
suspension period of at least one year, during which period the
student is prohibited from participating in or practicing with
other students for an athletic competition sponsored or sanctioned
by the league; and
(3) for the third confirmed positive test, permanent
ineligibility from participating in an athletic competition
sponsored or sanctioned by the league.
(e-1) For purposes of Subsection (e), a student who refuses
to submit to random testing is considered to have a confirmed
positive test.
(f) From funds already appropriated, the agency shall pay
the costs of the steroid testing program established under
Subsection (d).
(h) Subsection (b)(1) does not apply to the use by a student
of a steroid that is dispensed, prescribed, delivered, and
administered by a medical practitioner for a valid medical purpose
and in the course of professional practice, and a student is not
subject to a penalty under Subsection (e) on the basis of that
steroid use.
SECTION 3. This Act applies beginning with the 2007-2008
school year.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2007.

[t-long20]

interesting

[katyguy09]

did it say only 30% of hs's have to get tested and its random?

[LUV FOOTBALL]

testing is a good start, but start with the student who obviously is on something.Get that student[pupil] out of the class room,save me tax dollars and thin classrooms for kids that are drug free.Then go to the athlete. Here in America we always seem to start at the wrong end.And if you say we cant do that,weve already lost. The word "cant" is our biggest problem.

[Drake]

The word "cant" is our biggest problem.Last week it was "nappy"... :)

[DrEdward]

did it say only 30% of hs's have to get tested and its random?

I read this as saying that in drawing the 3% random sample of students for testing, that the resulting sample must cover at least 30% of the schools in a given year. If the 3% drawn did not cover the required 30%, the sample would either be expanded or continued with replacement until the 30% of schools was also satisfied.

[ktCarl]

Of course stopping the kids from using them would start in the home. But I'm sure 'Johnny Athlete' will do it under Mom and Dad's noses like kids sneak a beer. The UIL needs to threaten a school with game forfeitures if a kid tests positive like Katy's disqualification in '98. A kid might think twice if he thinks he could cause the entire team a game or a Title if he's caught using steroids. Right now I don't think the kids fear any kind of reprisal and believe they can get away with the abuse.

[horns13]

i am friends with many of the katy football players, and i know that if everyone was required to get tested, then katy would be losing about half of their starting players to suspension. just throwing that out there.

[ktCarl]

i am friends with many of the katy football players, and i know that if everyone was required to get tested, then katy would be losing about half of their starting players to suspension. just throwing that out there.

That could well be true. It's a State wide problem with kids all over using them including kids in not so stellar winning traditions.

Of course if you are a friend to MANY of the Katy football players and any of them saw your post...they might be kicking your arse up and down the hallways and part of the way down business 90.