It is reported that learners from as young as nine years old begin to engage in drug abuse, says Nerice Swanepoel, Gauteng coordinator of education for the South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport (SAIDS).
“Steroids are a large, widespread problem and definitely cannot be ignored in high schools,” she says.
However, the type and frequency of drugs used are relatively vague as it is only suspected that at this age learners begin with recreational drugs, which may, potentially, be a gateway to more serious sports drugs later on.
As many would know, steroid use is illegal in sport and generally in the country and measures will be taken if it is found in someone’s possession.
In sport, a positive test for steroids now results in a four-year ban under the new WADA 2015 Code.
Possession and selling of steroids in SA is a criminal offence and is handed over to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), who will bring charges which could result in offenders facing 10 years of jail time.
“Testing in schools falls under the jurisdiction of the Department of Basic Education which, at this stage, does not specify steroids and other sports drugs,” Swanepoel says.
”There are positive negotiations to bring steroids and other sport drugs into the school testing protocol, but currently this is only for high schools.”
In high schools, the school principal and governing body can agree to sign the Anti-Doping Schools Protocol, which allows the school to request education and then test learners for steroids.
Learners are selected for testing by the school principal and SAIDS conducts the actual testing and sample management.
Disciplinary action in this situation is at the discretion of the school.
“Plans have been in place for quite some time to control the situation and SAIDS works closely with the drug investigating units of South Africa, engaging in negotiations to bring steroid education and testing into high schools and, in the future making education about these drugs available in Life Orientation from as young as primary school ages,” Swanepoel said.
