Steroid use discourage bill receives approval

The legislation meant for curtailing the use of anabolic steroids by student-athletes received final legislative approval by the full Assembly by a vote of 74-2 and will now to the desk of the Governor.

The bill will require all public school coaches and non-public interscholastic sports, dance, and cheerleading coaches to incorporate a gender-specific program designed for minimizing the use of steroids, alcohol and other drugs and for promoting healthy nutrition and exercise into the team’s training regimen.

From NJtoday.net:

The bill (S-834/A-2454) would codify recommendations from the 2005 Governor’s Task Force on Steroid Use and Prevention, establishing measures to deter the use of steroids and other performance enhancing supplements in middle school and high school athletes.

“Many teenage athletes may view steroids as a quick way to get to the top of their game, without thinking about or even being aware of the consequences,” said Assemblyman Albert Coutinho (D-Essex). “Improving how we educate them about the dangers of performance enhancing drugs will help keep them healthy now and years down the road.”

Under the bill, the state Department of Education (DOE) and the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) would work jointly to develop and implement – by the 2010-2011 school year – a program of random steroid testing of student athletes who qualify to compete in championship tournaments sanctioned by the NJSIAA.

“Coaches as well as student athletes need to fully understand the dangers of steroid use and abuse,” said Assemblywoman L. Grace Spencer (D-Essex). “The earlier we can impress this on our student athletes, the better their health – both mental and physical – will be as adults.”