Student-athletes in New Jersey will be subject to random drug testing after a panel's recommendation in an attempt to stop steroid use.
Acting Gov. Richard Codey issued the executive order after an 18-member task force made that recommendation as well as others, the Easton Express-Times reports.
Codey called steroid use by high school athletes "a growing public health threat," and said dealing with it can't be left to parents, coaches or schools.
New Jersey is the first state in the country to start such a policy.
The National Institute of Drug Abuse reports 3.4 percent of high school seniors, 2.4 percent of sophomores and 1.9 percent of eighth-graders said they have tried steroids at least once.
The order means the state's education department and Interscholastic Athletic Association will create a method for random testing.
All athletes who test positive will be banned from competition but their team can continue.
© Copyright 2005 by United Press International
