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FHSAA Will Halt Steroid Testing

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By NICK WILLIAMS

The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 23, 2008

The Florida Senate will not renew House Bill 461, the state's high school steroid-testing bill, Florida High School Athletic Association spokeswoman Cristina Alvarez confirmed Thursday.

"The Senate isn't renewing the steroid-testing policy because it was a one-year test program," Alvarez said. "We believe it was a worthwhile effort. Unfortunately, the funding wasn't available to continue, but we understand the economy and the financial cuts the Legislature has to do."

Under the bill, which was signed last June by Gov. Charlie Crist, 1 percent of high school athletes (male or female) participating in football, baseball, flag football, softball and weightlifting were tested. The state allocated $100,000 to fund the pilot program.The bill was initiated by state Rep. Marcelo Llorente, who worked with the FHSAA to run the program.

Alvarez said only one testing came back positive since the program started.

The FHSAA contracted with the National Center for Drug-Free Sport Inc. to administer the tests. Student-athletes who tested positive were suspended in all sports for 90 school days.

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