Your Steroid Resource

In light of Bonds’ federal indictment

KGO By Pamela Tom

WALNUT CREEK, Calif., Nov. 16, 2007 (KGO) - The case against Barry Bonds is once again raising the issue of professional athletes as role models and calling new attention to steroid use among student athletes.

Friday night was the first game of the North Coast Section playoffs featuring Las Lomas vs. Piedmont.

Two years ago, then State Senator Jackie Speier passed a bill to keep high school athletes clean.

“There’s an absolute ban on the use of steroids or dietary supplements that are performance enhancing,” said Speier.

Now a private attorney, Speier says the indictment of Barry Bonds prompts a renewed look at tougher legislation, at the federal level.

“Whether it was Barry Bonds or some of the other players who actually sat before Congress when there was a hearing and lied to Congress, there needs to be a new ethical code … Before my bill was signed into law, there weren’t any rules on the books,” said Speier.

The law may be on the books, but is it enough of deterrent?

In the Acalanes Union High School District, a first offense for using or possessing steroids carries a 45 day suspension.

It doesn’t mean you’re automatically kicked off the team, but what the law did do was require coaches to step up to the plate.

“The element of trust and education is our main tool,” said Jack Trumbo, Miramonte Freshman Football Coach.

Jack Trumbo coaches freshman football at Miramonte High School.

He says “know your kids,” but admits it can be difficult to detect steroid use.

“I would say there’s a hole there, we don’t know for sure,” said Trumbo.

Speier’s bill calls for random steroid testing, but with sports programs already losing funding, testing may not rank high on the list.

“The district has not, at least at this time, imposed on us as coaches requirement to test for any of these drugs,” said Trumbo.

Football player and wrestler Mike Trumbo says he doesn’t feel pressure to try steroids.

He earns a win, the old-fashioned way.

“Every single day we’re in there for two hours lifting and then running,” said Mike Trumbo, Miramonte High School senior. “When you’re in shape and the game’s really fun when you’re winning, it really pays off, it’s really rewarding.”

Copyright 2007, ABC7/KGO-TV/DT.