Steriods in TX and FL

[GBMonster76]

What do you think of the recent crackdown on steriod use by high school athletes (football players) in TX and FL? Is it that big of a problem in these states?


www.gridironbrotherhood.com

[OakTreeUp-n-Out]

Steroid testing in and of itself isn't a terrible thing, but if you're going to bypass the privacy concern that goes along with mandatory testing of high school students (which is an entirely different thread...personally it's not an issue that concerns me too much) then I'd much rather see my tax dollar go towards testing for other drugs in the general student population. I'm a lot more concerned about the meth problem, for example, than I am about the limited number of kids taking steroids. Looking back at my own graduating class (1998), the kids who allegedly used roids (2-3 kids) are now just regular working class folks who dropped the roid thing immediately after graduation/football. Many of the kids in the general student population who were using speed (and to a lesser extent, the stoner group) are now the types of people who have destroyed their lives and struggle to support themselves and their families. There are much bigger evils out there than steroids, in my humble opinion... we can use our money more efficiently.

[Matthew 2000 Eagle]

Steroid testing in and of itself isn't a terrible thing, but if you're going to bypass the privacy concern that goes along with mandatory testing of high school students (which is an entirely different thread...personally it's not an issue that concerns me too much) then I'd much rather see my tax dollar go towards testing for other drugs in the general student population. I'm a lot more concerned about the meth problem, for example, than I am about the limited number of kids taking steroids. Looking back at my own graduating class (1998), the kids who allegedly used roids (2-3 kids) are now just regular working class folks who dropped the roid thing immediately after graduation/football. Many of the kids in the general student population who were using speed (and to a lesser extent, the stoner group) are now the types of people who have destroyed their lives and struggle to support themselves and their families. There are much bigger evils out there than steroids, in my humble opinion... we can use our money more efficiently.

You have a great point! I never thought about it that way.

[GBMonster76]

The speed/meth comment is true. However, I think you address that issue separately from steriods. In other words, I think the districts should rebudget and cut something in order to put mandatory steriod testing in place. The reason steriod testing should be implemented immediately is because if it's not stopped, with the horrible influences our pro players have become, the steriod thing could just get horribly out of hand...which it seems to be getting to now.


www.gridironbrotherhood.com

[DrEdward]

The speed/meth comment is true. However, I think you address that issue separately from steriods. In other words, I think the districts should rebudget and cut something in order to put mandatory steriod testing in place. The reason steriod testing should be implemented immediately is because if it's not stopped, with the horrible influences our pro players have become, the steriod thing could just get horribly out of hand...which it seems to be getting to now.


www.gridironbrotherhood.com

If one believes the latest reports, steroid use is not getting out of hand or even growing. In fact, according to the most recent Texas A&M report, the use of steroids had declined in Texas in the past year or so. Now that is not to say that one should be complacent about it, but it should be kept in perspective. Yes the consequences of steroid misuse can be awful, but the misuse of other illegal substances is far more prevalent. So if one is going to do the drug testing, then by all means test for the other illegal drugs at the same time. Steroid testing is rather expensive and the tests for the other substances are relatively inexpensive, almost free and/or a byproduct of steroid testing. In any event, steroid testing will be mandatory in Texas starting this fall and carried out of a random basis acorss the state.

[RicosRevenge]

Another issue is the process by which people would be chosen to test for steroid use. You can't single out football players or baseball players or linemen or "big white guys." If you test for steroids in a public school, you MUST test every extra-curricular activity including Band, Tennis and the Chess Club.

With that said, and factor in the rampant "Cheese" problem in N.Tex schools, I am all for an across-the-board random drug screening program.

[drgnbkr]

Another issue is the process by which people would be chosen to test for steroid use. You can't single out football players or baseball players or linemen or "big white guys." If you test for steroids in a public school, you MUST test every extra-curricular activity including Band, Tennis and the Chess Club.

With that said, and factor in the rampant "Cheese" problem in N.Tex schools, I am all for an across-the-board random drug screening program.

I agree

[07O-LINE]

in my district they test anyone it after school activities and they call you down and you either test for drugs or steroids they dont do both i got tested 3 different times for steroids i mean im a big guy but not so much of it is muscle haha... kind of a waste of testing

[SLC DRAGON]

steroids need not be in sports, especially high school ball. if we are looking to help the greatest segment of people a testing policy for meth and other more prevolent drugs would be much more affective, i totaly agree with Oak Tree

[yankee]

Another issue is the process by which people would be chosen to test for steroid use. You can't single out football players or baseball players or linemen or "big white guys." If you test for steroids in a public school, you MUST test every extra-curricular activity including Band, Tennis and the Chess Club.

With that said, and factor in the rampant "Cheese" problem in N.Tex schools, I am all for an across-the-board random drug screening program.

you wouldn't believe how many band kids are roiding! ;) but on a more serious note, if you test one extracurricular activity, you have to test them all.

[Robber89]

you wouldn't believe how many band kids are roiding! ;) but on a more serious note, if you test one extracurricular activity, you have to test them all.

Will the UIL test all extracurricular activities?

[yankee]

Will the UIL test all extracurricular activities?

i'm not sure...i'm in band i haven't taken any tests yet! but the guy made a good point about not singleing out a single group...of course they wouldn't do steroid testing on the comp sci team, but they could (should) certainly test for other illicit drugs.

[RicosRevenge]

...the guy made a good point about not singleing out a single group...

Please don't take my comment as some liberal flag waving campaign. I don't necessarily agree, but it just goes back to the whole profiling issue that is plaguing the Country in all aspects of life.

My personal stance is that you check the areas that have problems. I find it ridiculous to have to test the Debate Team the same way you test the Football Team.