Our vote for the worst reporting on steroid testing in Texas high schools goes to Alex Sanz of the CBS television affiliate in Houston. KHOU-TV needs to teach their reporters a few things about fact-checking before airing their reports. Practically every aspect of Sanz’ report on steroid testing in Texas high schools was wrong (“HISD steroid testing may start after break,” March 17).
The state signed off on the testing in recent months, and though it hasn’t started yet, there are signs it may sometime after spring break.
It hasn’t started? Reports were circulating that Palo Duro high school athletes were tested on March 12, 2008. Euless Trinity High School athletes were tested on March 13th. Also, Paschal High School athletes were steroid tested on March 14th. These must have been the signs Sanz was referring to.
Twenty-three percent of high school athletes are expected to be tested statewide.
The UIL Anabolic Steroid Testing Program isn’t testing anywhere near 23% of high school athletes. It is closer to 5% of athletes over the next three semesters (end of 2008-2009 academic year); only 40,000-50,000 athletes out of approximately 800,000 will be subject to steroid testing.
Then there is the money quote:
Administrators point to stories of high school athletes, in other cities, who have died after using steroids. They said that’s why this random testing is so important…
We’ve all heard the one tragic story of a high school athlete that died after using steroids. But just because that story has been repeated numerous times does transform it into a plurality of stories about high school athletes who died from steroid use.
The district said the test is worth it — even if all you save is one life.
It’s impossible to place a monetary value on the life of a teenager. But there is no evidence that steroid testing saves lives. If the goal is to save the lives of high school athletes, perhaps the $5.6 million would be better spent on another program – perhaps an alcohol abuse prevention program. This would clearly have a more pronounced impact the number of lives saved.
Even the title of the report gives Houston ISD athletes at least a week advance notice of testing enough time to “cycle off” some fast-acting and/or oral anabolic steroids. Clearly, very few bureaucrats and reporters understand the concept and purpose of surprise testing. Thank you Mr. Alex Sanz.
About the author
Millard writes about anabolic steroids and performance enhancing drugs and their use and impact in sport and society. He discusses the medical and non-medical uses of anabolic-androgenic steroids while advocating a harm reduction approach to steroid education.
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