FHSAA Statement on Supplements
The Florida High School Athletics Association (FHSAA) affirms the position of the National Federation of State High School Associations that all high school student-athletes and their parents/guardians should consult with their physicians before taking any dietary-supplement product. In addition, school personnel, including coaches, should not dispense any drug, medication or supplement except with extreme caution and in accordance with state regulations and school district policy. School district policies should be developed in consultation with health-care professionals, senior administrative staff of the school district and parents.
The dietary supplement industry is not strictly regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Product manufacturers are allowed to produce and sell dietary supplements even though the safety, purity and efficacy have not been investigated and established. Federal law requires the FDA to prove that a supplement is unsafe before it can be removed from the market.
Although federal law prohibits the sale of dietary supplements that contain prohormones, steroid precursors or anabolic steroids themselves, such products continue to be sold over the Internet and through other unreliable sources. There is a chance that a dietary supplement might contain a banned anabolic steroid and there is a chance that the use of supplements might cause a positive drug test. The FHSAA warns student-athletes and their parents/guardians that the use of any dietary supplement is at the student-athlete’s own risk.
References: NFHS Position Statement on Supplements
The National Center for Drug Free Sport, Inc.
