DALLAS, April 26 (UPI) -- New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson has joined a handful of other states in taking action to crack down on the use of steroids in high school athletics.
Speaking at the Steroid Summit in Albuquerque Monday, Richardson called for random testing in the state's high schools and announced the creation of a steroid-prevention task force to come up with recommendations to curb abuse of the drugs.
"Abuse of steroids is more than an issue of cheating among professional athletes, it's an issue that can have devastating effects, particularly on young people," he said. "We have to acknowledge that steroid abuse is a real problem that affects communities across New Mexico."
Richardson pledged to budget $330,000 in next year's legislative session to pay for random steroid testing, which may be coming to other states soon because of the rising national concern about abuse of the performance-enhancing drugs in schools.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that steroid use more than doubled among high school students from 1991 to 2003, with more than 6 percent of 15,000 students surveyed saying they tried steroids at least once.
New Mexico is the latest state to take on steroid abuse in high schools. Texas, Minnesota and Michigan are weighing legislation, and Florida appears the closest to passing a bill soon.
The Florida measure, sponsored by Rep. Marcelo Llorente, R-Miami, would call for the state's high school athletics regulatory agency to recommend a statewide random-testing program by Oct. 1. The Legislature could implement the program next year.
In order to belong to the Florida High School Athletic Association, school boards would have to adopt an educational program on the dangers of steroid use and accept a code of ethics for coaches requiring them to report violations.
The Florida House is expected to pass the bill later this week or early next week, said Jorge Conforme, legislative aide to Llorente. An identical bill is moving through the Senate.
If the bill passes and is signed by Gov. Jeb Bush, it would be the first of its kind in the nation, Conforme said.
Although pressure for legislation is strong, there are some who wonder whether the problem is as serious in every state. Major steroid use was uncovered last year at a North Texas high school, but some New Mexico coaches wonder if they have a problem.
After Richardson's call for action, some coaches in Santa Fe said testing would increase awareness, but they questioned whether the state has a steroid problem, the New Mexican reported.
"I don't know if I've ever experienced a kid that's been on steroids," said Peter Graham, a veteran coach at Santa Fe High School. "There are a lot of rumors that float around."
Graham and Joey Fernandez, football and track coach at St. Michael's High School, acknowledged some athletes might use steroids, but they said they don't know if usage is prevalent across the state.
"In New Mexico, I really don't think it's as bad as other states throughout the country," Fernandez told the newspaper. "You do see kids around that are pretty big. You wonder how they get so big and strong so fast."
In congressional testimony, those calling for a crackdown on steroid use have championed better testing and education as the key elements in addressing the problem. They say testing is the only way to know for sure if the drugs are being used.
The testing is costly, though, which is one reason why the sponsor of random-testing legislation in Texas backed off this week in favor of a study. Tests can cost anywhere from $60 to $200 -- too much for financially troubled Texas school districts at this time.
Texas is already under court order this session to reform its school-finance system and put more money into schools. The funds required for steroid testing, although a relatively small amount, would aggravate the budget pinch for schools.
Rep. Phil King, R-Weatherford, introduced the bill earlier this month, partly in response to reports a year ago that nine student-athletes at a suburban Fort Worth school had admitted using steroids. It was one of the largest cases in the country.
Out of 1,674 Texas public schools, only 93 tested for performance-enhancing drugs in 2002, according to the latest figures available.
The University Interscholastic League, which regulates student athletics in Texas, recently decided to seek more data on the extent of the problem before considering any kind of statewide random testing for steroids.
Instead of random testing, King has now proposed that the UIL and the Texas Education Agency develop an educational program for students and coaches with a follow-up study to determine its effectiveness, a staff spokesman said. Testing would be a possibility in 2007 when the Legislature meets again if the program is proved ineffective, he said.
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