What does uil drug test for

They also questioned why the test targets only steroid use and not all illegal drugs. Anything that helps kids say no to drugs is good. If they're going to test for steroids, it would make sense to test for everything," said D.

Texas lawmakers this year passed legislation mandating the steroid testing of high school athletes beginning in the school year. Kyle Janek , R-Houston, author of the steroid-testing bill, said he's disappointed the testing program did not launch in time for the current high school football season.

Students must remove all outer clothing before entering restrooms where urine samples will be collected for the drug test, according to the proposed procedure. Samples that fall outside a certain temperature range will be discarded, and student athletes will be required to provide another sample. The program will randomly test about 23, athletes for anabolic steroids each year. More than , Texas students participate in high school athletics.

Students selected for the test will be allowed to contact a parent to serve as a witness during the urine collection process. But the parent or legal guardian must arrive within one hour. Those who test positive for steroids or refuse to take the test will be suspended for 30 days from competition and must pass a test before regaining eligibility.

Students who test positive a second time face a one-year suspension from athletic contests. Students will be required to sign a consent form agreeing to the rules of the program, unless the student is younger than 18 years old, in which case a parent or guardian would be required to sign.

The results of drug tests will be disclosed to the student, student's parents and designated officials with Bushland ISD. The school district noted that students will be tested for alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, amphetamines, methampetamines, heroin and opiates. Urine and saliva were both listed on the district's drug testing policy as possible examples of collection. Each year, the University Interscholastic League UIL performs random drug tests that check for anabolic steroids, but they do not check for recreational drugs such as tobacco, marijuana or cocaine.

Texas student athletes should undergo mandatory drug testing for both anabolic steroids and recreational drugs before participating in any UIL games, competitions or activities. By requiring the students to undergo drug tests, the number of recreational and anabolic drug users will decrease.

Student athletes will say no to the temptation of drugs brought on by peers because they know that in order to participate in their sport, they must pass the drug test. Ninety percent of Americans who meet the medical criteria for addiction started before the age of 18, and mandatory drug testing will reduce the number of teenage drug users, therefore preventing addiction. Preventing teenage drug addiction should be one primary goal of the UIL drug testing administrators.

Anyone who uses drugs put themselves at risk of experiencing the effects that come along with drugs. With drug use comes physical side effects that vary depending on the drug. Short term effects caused by most drugs include impairment of morals and judgement, poor performance in school or athletics and the risk of overdosing.

Long term effects include addiction, social or family problems and possible death. Studies show that if teens stay away from drugs when young, the chances of developing a substance use disorder in the future greatly decreases. Also, abstaining from drugs prevents experiencing withdrawal symptoms, which can be a brutal and an unpleasant encounter. The UIL drug testing program only tests about three percent of Texas student athletes.