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Steroid bill calls for student athlete testing
By Troy Brakefield, Staff Writer
Accompanied by Plano resident Don Hooten and NFL Hall of Famer Dick Butkus, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst and Sen. Kyle Janek of Galveston presented a bill on Wednesday which would require random steroid testing of athletes governed by the University Interscholastic League.
The bill also calls for all coaches at or above the seventh grade level to complete an educational program so they can teach their athletes about the dangers of steroids.
Dewhurst said an estimated 42,000 high school athletes have used drugs to enhance their performance n many not knowing the dangers of steroids.
Since his son’s death, Don Hooten founded the Taylor Hooten Foundation to bring awareness to the risks involved when young athletes take the performance enhancers. The foundation has garnered support from various groups including a $1 million donation from Major League Baseball.
The state would fund the testing program, said Dewhurst, which would cost between $2.2 and $4 million. He said the cost would be worth the investment in saving lives and the message it sends to young athletes.
"I think mandatory, random sampling will send a chilling effect to all of our high school athletes: don't use steroids in Texas," he said.
The bill calls for those who test positive for the performance enhancers to face written reprimands, probationary participation in events or suspension from competitions and practices.
But Janek said there would be more value to the measure than just being a deterrent.
"We anticipate a large enough sample that we get a much better picture of the prevalence of steroid use in this state," he said.
Senate Bill 8 would mandate the UIL select 30 percent of public high schools for the program. Of those selected, each school would randomly test 3-6 percent of their student athletes.
According to the UIL Web site, the University of Texas at Austin created the UIL in 1909 to “provide leadership and guidance to public school debate and athletic teachers.” Currently the 740,000 student athletes participate in UIL athletics.
Local school officials expressed support.
“If we can save kids by testing, then I’m all for it,” said Mike Hughes, athletic director at Plano West High School. “The athletes at Plano West will be the first ones to sign up.”
Contact staff writer Troy Brakefield at 972-398-4484 or tbrakefield@acnpapers.com.
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