Frankly Speaking

By Frank Uryasz, President, Drug Free Sport

Setting the record straight on human-growth hormone

I heard my grandmother’s voice a few weeks ago when Drug Free Sport Insight staff said they wanted to write a story about human-growth hormone. My grand mother often warned us that we should not “air our dirty linen.” It was her way of reminding us that family matters should not be made public. You see, sport’s inability to detect athletes’ growth-hormone use is a bit like dirty linen—it’s a fact, but perhaps it’s best that we not talk about it publicly.

Despite my grandmother’s advice, I agreed with my colleagues that we needed to talk about growth hormone. I agreed for two reasons:

1. Writers are reporting incorrectly that U.S. sports organizations choose not to test for growth hormone, and

2. It’s highly unlikely that our discussion about growth hormone will entice an athlete to use it.

I think the HGH article in this issue of Insight will set the record straight on growth hormone. Further, I believe an open discussion of the problem will lead to a solution. I hope you (and my grandmother) agree.

Also in this issue of Insight, you’ll read about our commitment to continued improvement in collection services for our sports clients. One example of our commitment is the hiring of a full-time specimen-collection team for Drug Free Sport. Traditionally, we have trained independent contractors to collect specimens, and we plan to continue this successful model for the foreseeable future. However, we now have a full-time collection crew working from our Kansas City offices. The crew is composed of Sylvette Lopez-Ruth, Nick Matheus and Eric Patterson. On average, drug-testing crews test 12 sites per year. Our new full-time crew tested at 41 sites in 10 weeks! Having fewer crews leads to higher travel costs. However, crews that test often become more proficient at their jobs and the quality of collections is enhanced.

This fall I traveled hither and yon (a lot of yon) speaking to audiences about performance-enhancing drugs and dietary supplements. I participated in coaches’ education sessions in Cape Girardeau, Missouri; Lincoln, Nebraska; and Brooklyn, New York. I spoke to high-school students in Hallsville, Texas and Plattsburgh, New York. I spoke to college athletes at the University of Toledo, Kansas State, Delta State, North Georgia College and Manhattan College (NY). Thank you to the many schools and organizations that asked me to participate in their drug-education programs. I am thankful that so many people share our commitment to helping athletes remain drug free.

The Drug Free Sport staff is looking forward to the NCAA Convention in January in Indianapolis. The year 2006 is the 100-year anniversary of the Association, and its annual Convention will for the first time include a trade show. If you plan to attend the Convention, please take some time to visit Drug Free Sport at the show. Happy Holidays!