HOUSTON, TX - In a unique partnership among Houston's professional sports franchises, the MLS Houston Dynamo, MLB Houston Astros, NFL Houston Texans and NBA Houston Rockets have teamed up to promote a statewide anti-drug/anti-steroid campaign in Texas schools. This effort comes in the midst of recent state legislation mandating drug testing starting with the 2007-08 school year.
The slogan "Be Smart. Stay Drug Free." headlines a poster that will be sent to high schools, middle schools, clubs and youth recreation leagues throughout Texas. The poster features Brian Ching of the Dynamo, Carlos Lee of the Astros, Tracy McGrady of the Rockets and Eric Winston of the Texans with the message: "Use of steroids not prescribed by a doctor can get you in trouble. To become the best athlete you can be you don't need to take steroids or any other illegal drug. Do not damage your school or yourself."
The campaign is endorsed by the University Interscholastic League, Texas High School Coaches Association and Texas Association of School Administrators. This poster was unveiled at Houston Independent School District's Delmar Field House.
"We are pleased that the Houston professional sports teams have united in sending a message to our student athletes to avoid steroids and other performance enhancing drugs," said Johnny Veselka, executive director of the Texas Association of School Administrators. "This message complements the overall effort to combat steroid use in Texas schools by the Texas Legislature and University Interscholastic League."
D.W. Rutledge, executive director of the Texas High School Coaches Association, lauded the cooperative effort among Houston teams. "We think anything that helps kids say no to drugs is very important to us and, as a coaches association, we are in full support of anything that will help. If testing is a factor in helping kids say no to steroids then we think that's a positive, and we support this message."
The state testing measure was approved by the Texas Legislature on May 28, 2007. A recent study by Texas A&M University found that among 141,000 Texas athletes in grades 7-12, use of steroids dropped from 2 percent in 2004 to 1.5 percent in 2006.
Among the speakers at the poster unveiling included State Senator Kyle Janek, R-Houston, who sponsored the drug testing legislation. Also speaking were Steve Smith, Consultant Partner for the Taylor Hooton Foundation and HISD Athletic Director Daryl Wade. Houston Dynamo President Oliver Luck joined Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey. Ching, Lee and Winston also attended the press conference.
