Many state high school athletic associations have viewed performance-enhancing drugs as a problem among teenage athletes.

Several, including the IHSA, have considered a variety of plans to combat what they believe is an increased use of steroids and other drugs as a means to gain a competitive edge on the playing fields.

Two weeks ago, the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association became a pioneer among its peers by approving a measure to become the first state to test athletes for drugs. The drug-testing plan is expected to gain final approval early next month.

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