South Africa aim to introduce significant reforms in schools drug testing by the end of 2010.

South Africa aim to introduce significant reforms in schools drug testing by the end of 2010.


A revolutionary agreement on random drug testing of school athletes is about to be concluded by the South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport (Saids) and the International Boys Schools Coalition (IBSC)

With no program expected to be introduced in the UK in the foreseeable future, South Africa have taken a giant step to towards tackling performance enhancing and recreational drug abuse in schools on the eve of hosting the football world cup.

Later this year it’s expected that a new drug testing policy will be supported by public government schools and will have significant effects on the highly competitive inter schools rugby league, which is rumoured to be rife with abuse of performance-enhancing substances.

"Our interest is for sport to be played fairly and safely. This will make a significant impact as kids experimenting with banned substances or supplements now have a good reason to say no," said Dr Jon Patricios, president of the SA Sports Medicine Association, which facilitated the talks.

Saids will perform drug testing without notice on school premises and at sports practices, matches and tournaments. It will conform to international requirements governing the testing of athletes in an attempt to catch young adults using performance enhancing drugs and deter others from participating.
The independence and authority of Saids will be recognised and school governing bodies will ensure parents are informed of drug testing procedures and made aware of issues regarding parental consent.

St John's College headmaster Roger Cameron, who is driving the process, said substance abuse was "generated across the board".
"We didn't have an effective way of dealing with it within school structures. When a pupil was caught we would go the counselling route and that generally took care of the problem. Saids, however, is a statutory body so there will be disciplinary procedures." Cameron said.

According to the agreement, "sanctions will be limited to participation in sport and may not include expulsion, unless where express criminal malfeasance is revealed".

Cameron said: "I don't think there will be much opposition. All we have to do now is look at the technical elements and meet the various headmasters."
He hoped the process would be completed by the end of the term. Director of rugby at Monument High School Wynand Moolman, welcomed the initiative.

"This is something we will wholeheartedly support. It can only be good for the sport. We have to recognise there is a problem. Boys see rugby as a potential career and for that they have to be stronger and bigger than the next guy if they want to make their province's Craven Week team.

"The problem is they go to gyms and are supplied with substances that they may not be well informed about," Moolman said.

SA Rugby Union medical manager Clint Readhead also acknowledged the problem.

"What hard evidence do we have that there is substance abuse? We don't any, only anecdotal evidence.
"But you only have to go to a school and hear the boys talk to realise there is a problem. We welcome the programme."

For more information on Sports Drug Testing, Rugby Drug Testing or any other recreational sports drug testing services please contact Forensic Resources Ltd.