Pubdate: Fri, 05 May 2006
Source: Courier News (Bridgewater, NJ)
Copyright: 2006 Courier News
Contact:  http://www.c-n.com/c-n/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2163
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Test)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

DRUG TESTING FOR N.J. HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETES CLEARS ANOTHER HURDLE

TRENTON, N.J. - New Jersey will become the first state to institute a 
drug-testing policy for all high school athletes under a plan set to 
receive final approval next month.

The policy, which received preliminary approval Wednesday from the 
executive committee of the New Jersey Interscholastic Athletic 
Association, would bar high school athletes from competing unless 
they and their parents agree to random tests.

Testing would start in the fall if the committee again endorses the 
plan June 7.

Key points of the preliminary plan:

* High school athletes whose teams qualify for championship games, or 
who qualify for state tournaments as an individual, face random testing.

* About 80 performance-enhancing substances are banned, ranging from 
amphetamines to steroids.

* Those who test positive or refuse to be tested will be ineligible for a year.

* Students can appeal suspensions to an NJSIAA committee. Further 
appeals from public school students would be heard by the state's 
education chief, while appeals from private school students would go 
to state courts.

Then-Gov. Richard J. Codey last year signed an executive order to 
institute random steroid testing for athletes competing in championships.

Codey, who remains president of the state Senate, has said the state 
would provide $50,000 to help cover the cost of testing. The NJSIAA 
said it would provide an additional $50,000.

Statewide testing policies have been considered in at least two other 
states, including California and Florida.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman