AMARILLO, TEXAS -- For some time, a lot of Texans have questioned the validity of randomly testing high school athletes for steroids. Now that question has intensified because of budget cuts that are looming over the state. Steroid testing had an annual budget of $6 million just three years ago.
But, according to the Austin American Statesman, that was slashed to $750,000 this year and last spring, there wasn't a single positive result from the tests in all of Texas. The testings were signed into law by Governor Rick Perry in June of 2007. It mandates the University Interscholastic League conduct random steroid testing of athletes in grades 9 through 12. But if that budget is cut completely, that means AISD will not continue the testing.
"It's something we would always make sure that our kids understand. Would we we drug test? No," said Brad Thiessen, the Athletic Director for AISD.
Since the testing started, AISD students have all turned up clean. "The last three years Amarillo ISD has had somewhere about 500 students tested over a three year period. We've had no positive test results during that time, so we're really happy," continued Thiessen. But with looming budget cuts, the validity of the tests are coming into play
"There are two ways to look at it, and that is if you're testing these kids it gives them a deterrent to not take steroids, but on the opposite side, the argument is, if there's nobody coming up with positive test results maybe we're wasting money. But that's not up to us to decide," said Thiessen.
State Senator Kel Seliger said in a statement to ProNews7, "This program, as well as every program in the state, must be considered for potential cuts in light of the looming budget deficit. I believe we should have a program that will effectively reveal the problem, if there is one, with the use of performance enhancing substances in our schools. Also, our program should be extensive enough to serve as a deterrent to the use of such substances going forward."
Thiessen added, "Any time you drug test you have a possibility of kids being afraid of the drug testing and that's one reason they don't do it. Whether it's that factor or they're smart enough not to do it, it really doesn't matter as long as we're finding the kids aren't doing it."
A UIL spokesperson said that the program budget this year of $750,000 can test an estimated 4,600 students. That number is down from last year's more than 6,000 students tested. As far as the budget goes the spokesperson said it's not something they have control over, they just do what the Legislature says.
